Fulgura Frango  (2002)
for Trumpet  and ensemble
Duration: 14:36

First performance:  2002 in the Doelen in Rotterdam
commissioned and performed by the Doelen Ensemble conducted by Arie van Beek, Andre Heuvelmans, trumpet solo

Revision 2003: April 13, 2003 in the Doelen in Rotterdam
by the Doelen Ensemble conducted by Arie van Beek, Marco Blaauw, trompet solo

Program Notes

Fulgura Frango is the inscription found on many church bells in Europe from the Medieval times right up until the end of the 19th century. Translated, it means, "I break the lightning", and shows the faith of the bell ringers and the church in the protective power of the ringing of the bells in times of emergency - to ward off electrical storms and agressive attacks, to name a few.

Many a bell ringer met his  end while performing his duty during lightning strikes to the church tower.

Fragments of the pitch cycles of the bell ringers of England provided rich sources for melodic ideas, which fit in with the overal theme of the work.

The trumpet, perhaps overly clear by now, is the musical metaphor for the the tragic hero figure,   pitting himself against 'the elements' ,  for the greater good.

A  'singing highway', heard on a journey in New Mexico, was an important inspiration for the melody and rhythms used in the chorale section.

This piece was supported by the Dutch composition  fund/ het fonds voor de scheppende toonkunst