Daniel Schnyder

The Iron Tetrapod

'I wrote the composition The Iron Tetrapod for the 'Graham Ashton Brass Ensemble'. Originally scored for four brass instruments, I rearranged the work - at the suggestion of Ingo Goritzki - for 2 oboes, bassoon and piano, which eventually led to the new version for piano quartet.

The piece combines the world of chamber music and jazz. When it comes to phrasing and rhythm the vernacular is clearly derived from jazz. At the same time the structural development of the piece roots in chamber music traditions. With a duration of somewhat more than 4 minutes, it is a relatively compact composition, sounding well in all sorts of instrumental combinations and offers new challenges in phrasing and rhythm. Hence this makes it a very suitable study piece.