Review

Thierry Thibault
3 Petits Matches:
trumpet, trombone, and piano

Vuarmarens, , Switzerland
Publisher: Editions Bim
Date of Publication: 2011
URL: http://www.editions-bim.com

Primary Genre: Chamber Music

Thierry Thibault is a French tuba player, composer, and founding member of the Epsilon Brass Ensemble. He is currently the Director of the Conservatory of Valenciennes in northern France. His work, 3 Petits Matches, contains three short movements that depict different sporting matches, providing the performers with programmatic inspiration: I. Ping Pong, II. Badminton, III. Tennis. This intermediate-level work is part of the Editions Bim Junior Series. Ping Pong features the trumpet player as soloist, challenging them with both tongued and slurred wide leaps, including octaves, at a faster tempo. Ping Pong is light and playful using staccato notes throughout to mimick the pop of a ping pong ball. Badminton is a waltz that begins by featuring the trombone player accompanied by the left hand of the piano. Later in this movement, the horns trade alternating ascending and descending arpeggios creating the effect of a vigorous badminton rally. Tennis, a high-energy closer, features driving eighth-notes and dissonant harmonies. Tennis is by far the toughest movement of the three, due to meter changes and syncopated interplay between the horn parts. Trombone range covers F-f1, and the trumpet covers a-f2, concert pitch. All parts are accessible to young high school students and ambitious 8th grade students. 3 Petits Matches is a well-written fun piece, full of contrasts.  

-Russell Ballenger
University of Mary