Sinfonietta

Van Hoof always had a liking for brass. He was the founder and the main driving force behind the ‘Antwerp Brass Ensemble’, which was an important part of the Flemish music scene. The strength of this group consisted of some trumpets, trombones, contrabass, tuba and percussion, which provided a very homogenous character. It was also extremely suitable for concerts in open air. Apart from some adaptations of different classical works and many accompaniments of songs and choral works, van Hoof mainly created original works for this ensemble. The three-part Sinfonietta was without a doubt the most important of these compositions. The composer explained it as follows: «It was an attempt to create a different sound with the ‘cuivres-clairs’, the hard brass, than merely blaring sounds. The melodiousness, the unity, the harmonious sounds of the trumpets and trombones were new grounds yet to be discovered.»

Van Hoof described the mood of the first part in As – Moderato, molto espressivo- as ‘despairing’ and ‘brave’. The two themes - quite melodic and rhythmic - comply with these two rather opposite characteristics. The subtle changes in tempo and the opposition of duplets and triplets create a restrained tension. The second part in G -Tempo di Valse - sounds playful and soft. It is only towards the end that the dynamic amounts into a fortissimo. In the Scherzo-finale in C, it is again the rhythmic movement that dominates. This part probably complies the most with the general image that van Hoof – though not always correctly - was given: that of a clean, even exuberant nature. It is a cheerful game, full of unexpected contrasts and humour; for example the middle part which is reserved for trumpets with mutes.

Luc Leytens

For orchestral material, please go to the Royal Flemish Conservatory