Description
The Latin title Praeambulum Durum can be translated as "a strong prelude". The strength in this work implies foremost the loud and forceful sound of the brass instruments, which has always greatly impressed me. The word praeambulum also means "a walk". Perhaps the passage in the middle of the movement, initiated by the tuba’s ostinato-like gesture, can be interpreted as heavy footsteps of some gigantic creature.
In contrast to the first movement, Interludium Intimum has a more intimate and delicate character. On the other hand there are also strong accents and build-up chords like in Praeambulum Durum. The horn has a special, even soloistic character; In the end of the movement the horn's large range is being demonstrated, when the cantabile-like melody line in the highest pitches gradually descends to the lowest register to compete with the trombone and the tuba.
The three movements of this work were composed in two-year intervals during 2006-2010. Despite the long and rhapsodic composing process, all the movements form a stylistically unified musical entity. Even the quotation from Josquin Desprez in the last movement, Postludium Profundum blends seamlessly as part of Ludi Caeli (Heavenly Plays).
Tomi Räisänen, 2010
Instrumentation
hn, 2trp, trb, tba
Category
Chamber Works
Premiere
Helsinki Brass Quintet: Tommi Hyytinen, horn, Janne Ovaskainen, trumpet, Ilkka Helanterä, trumpet, Sami Ruusuvuori, trombone, Miika Jämsä, tuba, November 30, 2007 in London, U.K. (I.movt), April 8, 2008 in Constanța, Romania (II.movt) & May 25, 2011 in Helsinki, Finland (III.movt)
Movements
I. Praeambulum Durum; II. Interludium Intimum; III. Postludium Profundum
Commisioned by / dedications
Written for Helsinki Brass Quintet
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