• Britta Byström
  • Screen Memories - Trumpet Concerto No. 2 (2012)
    (Trumpet Concerto no.2)

  • Edition Wilhelm Hansen Copenhagen (World)
  • 2222/2200/perc/str
  • tpt
  • 23 min

Programme Note

Premiere:
February 28 2013
Nordic Chamber Orchestra
Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet
Johannes Gustavsson, Conductor
Stadshuset, Sundsvall, Sweden


Programme note:
“Screen Memories” is the English translation of a Freudian term (Deckerinnerung is the original German term). In Swedish it is called "täckminnen". The term means strong, but seemingly meaningless childhood memories as "cover" for substantial memory.

The title is something of a pun as the work is based on “Voyage Into the Golden Screen” (1968-69) by Danish composer, Per Nørgård – a modern classic in which Nørgård presents his compositional technique known as the infinity series. The technique which I freely apply in the “Trumpet Concerto” enables the development of an endless melody! In that sense “Screen Memories” adapts a second understanding: memories of the composition of Nørgård.

Nørgård, in turn, adopted the title from a song by British songwriter, Donovan – the first phrase of this song is in my trumpet concerto. And then there's a third musical reference: the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8, "Pathetique". I once heard it in concert while a massive rainstorm appeared and nearly drowned the music. A musical memory incorporated in the composition (the percussionist uses a “rain stick”).

"Screen Memories" thus becomes a concert full of musical memories dressed in new clothes. It is written for, and dedicated to, the soloist Tine Thing Helseth whose soft and virtuoso playing inspired the solo part.

The work is a co-commission between the Nordic Chamber Orchestra, Sundsvall and Gürzenich-Orchester, Cologne. Duration approximately 25 minutes.

Britta Byström

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