Symboles for Trumpet

Symboles for solo trumpet, was composed for the 1999 competition class of the Royal Conservatory of Brussels.

At the outset, the piece introduces two alternating motifs — A1 and A2 — each derived from distinct presentations of the acoustic scale, and each developed in a unique manner. A1 evolves through the repetition and gradual expansion of its initial cell, while A2 presents a theme that, with each recurrence, gains in length and complexity, incorporating new melodic-rhythmic cells.

This dual construction is interrupted by a B section, inspired by Olivier Messiaen’s rhythmic structures and modes of limited transposition. The motifs A1 and A2 subsequently return in their fully developed forms.

A cadenza follows — optional, at the performer’s discretion — employing a range of extended techniques specific to the trumpet. The piece culminates in a highly virtuosic finale, where the thematic material of A1 resurfaces one final time.

Trumpeter Antoine Acquisto has recorded this work on CD (label JPH Productions 009).