Merci M. Poulenc takes as inspiration the first “real” brass chamber music piece I encountered when in high school: the trio for trumpet, horn, and trombone by Francis Poulenc (1899-1963). Appropriately, the movements of my trio get French names: Passepied is reminiscent of jaunty French boulevard music often associated with Francis Poulenc; Notre Dame is expressive of solemnity; Le Bon Marche alludes to a good walk, as well as the well-known department store on the river Seine.
Merci M. Poulenc is composed for three fine musicians living on the Monterey Peninsula: Bob Johannsen, trumpet , Emily Craparo, horn, and Wenschel Lan, trombone. These performers premiered the trio on July 19, 2015 in Carmel Valley.