Three Very Distinct Pieces

Programme Notes

This trio of pieces (for trio) actually began as a single composition—a university assignment while I was at the University of Toronto. I enjoyed working with the rhythmic and polytonal sonorities in the first piece so much that I decided to expand the project to include two additional, contrasting pieces.

The second piece was inspired by the warm tonal colors of Salvation Army brass ensembles, the kind often heard in shopping plazas during Christmas. The third piece explores a variety of textures and moods, moving from a sparse, quiet beginning to an intense, rhythmic conclusion, with many shifts in between. I also wanted the instruments to explore extreme registers and “converse” with one another, showcasing the wide range of possibilities these three great instruments offer.

– Frank Horvat