Triptykon for Percussion and Orchestra

Triptykon for Percussion and Orchestra was composed by Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen in 1985. Dedicated to Gert Mortensen. Programme note: TRIPTYKON is inspired by the visual arts (a triptych is a painting on three panels, hinged side by side - for instance an altarpiece). The three movements of TRIPTYKON are composed in an eff ort to create clear contrasts of colour. The first movement employs only winds in the orchestra, the second movement only strings, and in the third movement the first two movements are repeated, on top of each other, played simultaneously. Tue percussion solo part has equally distinct colours: for the first movement: metal only, for the second movement: woodonly, and then finally in the third movement- together with the orchestral tutti - skin! Other distinct features in TRIPTYKON are block-like dispositions, polyrhythmic layers and simplicity of tonal colours. Tue often crude articulation of motifs and the frequent use ofrepetition lend a ritual character to the music. TRIPTYKON was composed in close collaboration with percussionist Gert Mortensen and the work is dedicated to him.