Gloria for Four Trumpets and Two Trombones

I wrote the composition Gloria for four trumpets and two trombones in 2014; it was commissioned from me, as its resident composer (2012-2014), by the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra. It is inspired by the wording of the Ordinary of the Mass: “Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.” Appearing through the composition are variants of a thematic thought that has origins in chorale and is of a vocal character, melodically and rhythmically conceived in such a way as to arouse associations of the sung text “Gloria in excelsis Deo”. A tenor trombone solo is featured (Andante sostenuto) and then it is incorporated, as a kind of cantus firmus, in the polyphonic texture of a fugue (Con moto) in the bass-trombone part. In the section Maestoso – Festivo it figures in the upper register (1st trumpet in C) harmonised in the manner of Bach’s Protestant chorales, and just before the end of the composition is used in a diminished polyphonically treated version – in stretto form. (Davorin Kempf)