Concerto per trombone e orchestra

Frigyes Hidas (1927-2008), the last romantic as he half-jokingly labeled himself, was always drawn to brass instruments throughout his career. In addition to his numerous works written for wind ensembles, he has also composed several concertos for these instruments.

Hidas Trombone Concerto (written in 1979 for Gusztáv Hona) is an exceptional work amongst his concerti: among the three through-composed movements, the middle, slower movement is reminiscent of mourning music. Its gloomy tone is certainly resolved, but not forgotten, by the jazz-like introduction and the virtuoso closing section.

This extreme emotional spectrum, however, provides an unparalleled opportunity for the soloist to demonstrate their abilities: the varying timbres of the trombone s different registers - from rumbling bass tones to soaring high melodies - along with the evenness of its broken chords, sharp staccatos, and tight rhythms.