Sinfonia Monumentale ed Energico

Op.83a 1998

David Hellewell

This is the orchestral arrangement by the composer of his Trio Monumentale ed Energico for Violin, Cello and Piano. The Trio was composed in 1987 after the Rhapsody for Piano & Orchestra. In this piece Hellewell draws on influences ranging from Messiaen, Smetana, Jazz and Rock, to Classical and Baroque (but with no direct quotes), and there are many contrasting, but interconnected, sections.
The title refers to two of the main features of the work: a monumental opening of crashing , sustained chords with piano declamations, and then a driving, energetic rhythm over which there rides a passionate, cantabile melody. In the orchestral version this driving rhythm and energy of the dynamic and stylistically-contrasting sections is powerfully realised by the orchestra. Further highly-contrasting sections include others marked: Swinging Funk; Baroque Interlude; a romantic Cantabile section, and a gentle bell-like section marked Ethereal. The trio was given its first performance by the Trio of London, together with Hellewell’s Space-Time Phantasia, in Shaftesbury, Dorset in 1989. Duration: 13 minutes.