Composer

:

Petr Eben

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Average_duration

:

4:11

"Okna" is a composition for trumpet and organ, composed by Petr Eben in 1980. The piece is divided into four movements, each of which is inspired by a stained-glass window in a church in Prague. The first movement, "Rueben, the blue window," is named after the biblical figure Rueben and the blue color of the window. The premiere of "Okna" took place in 1981 in Prague, with the trumpet part played by Miroslav Kejmar and the organ part played by Jaroslav Tůma. The piece has since become a staple of the trumpet and organ repertoire, and is often performed in churches and concert halls around the world. The first movement, "Rueben, the blue window," is characterized by its use of the trumpet's upper register and the organ's bright, shimmering timbre. The movement begins with a fanfare-like trumpet solo, which is then echoed by the organ. The two instruments then engage in a call-and-response dialogue, with the trumpet playing short, staccato phrases and the organ responding with sustained chords. As the movement progresses, the trumpet and organ become more intertwined, with the trumpet playing long, lyrical lines over the organ's pulsing accompaniment. The movement ends with a triumphant trumpet solo, accompanied by a series of crashing chords on the organ. Overall, "Okna" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases the unique timbres and expressive capabilities of the trumpet and organ. The first movement, "Rueben, the blue window," is a particularly striking example of Eben's ability to create vivid musical images through his use of color, texture, and melody.

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