Staar, René: Gemini A10

The Duo A10 for violin and trumpet attempts to develop an idea in two different ways. The form is determined by a phrase consisting of two halves—one of formulation, and one of development—which occur in five contradistinctive manifestations. These manifestations differ from each other in their harmonic progression and alignment (including the number of chords combined together), in their rhythmically articulated form, in tempo and meter, and in the relationship between the two instruments. Therefore, this piece has nothing in common with variation form. The composer imposes unusual sound patterns such as those of the "wow-wow"-muted trumpet initially articulating its rhythms with the aid of muting effects and, with its syncopations, contrasting with the violin's 5/8 movements that are divided into groups of three and five. This extremely complex piece was written for the then (1998) young trumpeter Martin Angerer from Graz, who has since made a career in Germany. In 2007 he was appointed principal trumpet of the Staatskapelle Berlin/Staatsoper unter den Linden under its General Music Director Daniel Barenboim and has been principal trumpet with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra since September 2011.