Jean-Claude Schlaepfer
Ascensus

About Ascensus

The Work

Although it was conceived as a single movement (molto largo e misterioso), three divisions are apparent: the quasi-declamatory introduction for trumpet alone (with a "plunger" mute for a 'rougher' sound), followed by the main body of the work where the trumpet (open) starts low and works its way progressively into the high range, within the subtle texture of quivering low strings, to attain a flamboyant and lyrical climax. In the last section the strings (violas and cellos) disappear into the extreme high register, while the trumpet (using a Harmon mute without the tube) finds serenity in the middle register and concludes in the low register, murmuring the inexpressible.