Trois moments musicaux, for 3 Violas

Review in M (= The Viola. Information for members) 80 / 2016 / 27
The «Trois moments musicaux» dates back to 1990 and were premiered at an awards ceremony in Sulzbach-Rosenberg/Oberpfalz. The three character pieces «Berceuse» (lullaby), «Élégie» and «Gigue» move stylistically within a functional framework and are more closely related in their motifs than one would expect at first glance. In addition to the common harmonic basis of the keys C minor and E flat major, there is a consistent use of all odd bar keys with the numbers 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. The main themes can be traced back to a descending line from tone g, while in the middle sections of the movements, all worked in three-part form, corresponding ascending lines can be proven to give structure. In addition, a repetition motif and a pretended polyphony in lying notes, only briefly hinted at in the «Berceuse», are used as brackets for the content, appearing more conspicuously in the two movements.
The «Trois moments musicaux» will be a welcome enrichment in view of the not exactly very opulent repertoire of music for three violas.
Gernot Adrion

Trio

Trois moments musicaux
for 3 Violas
Score, parts (3)‍‍