REED TRIO (TRIO D'ANCHES) MUSIC
Contemporary Music for Reed Trio
This collection of contemporary reed trio music presents works written for performers seeking expressive, modern repertoire for concerts, competitions, and advanced study. The reed trio — traditionally oboe, clarinet, and bassoon — offers a uniquely colorful and flexible sound world, capable of lyrical blend, playful articulation, and rich contrapuntal writing. This page provides an overview of available works, including instrumentation details, program notes, and score information.
JONGLEURS
for reed trio (trio d’anches)
Duration:
10 minutes
Instrumentation:
oboe, clarinet and bassoon
Year Composed:
2024
Written for:
The Tel Aviv Wind Quintet
Commissioned by:
The Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts
Premiere Performance:
13 January, 2026
Tel Aviv, Israel
Dmitry Malkin, oboe
Danny Erdman, clarinet
Nadav Cohen, bassoon
Audio
Program notes
Jongleurs for Reed Trio (trio d’anches) draws on the long French tradition of music written for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. The jongleurs were versatile wandering entertainers of medieval Europe—cousins of the minstrels—who moved from town squares to castle halls performing whatever would delight a crowd: singing, instrumental playing, juggling, acrobatics, storytelling, and reciting poetry.
This piece imagines those lively performers through a contemporary lens. The three instruments take on a parade of characters, each movement capturing a different facet of the jongleurs’ craft with wit, color, and a modern twist.
Jongleurs was written for the Tel Aviv Wind Quintet, with kind support from the The Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts.
Abstract
Jongleurs for Reed Trio (trio d’anches) draws inspiration from the long French tradition of music for oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, reimagining it through the spirited world of medieval wandering entertainers. The jongleurs—nimble performers who sang, played instruments, juggled, told stories, and brought acrobatics to town squares and castle halls—serve as the work’s imaginative spark. Each section becomes a miniature portrait, with the three reeds slipping into a parade of characters that echo the jongleurs’ eclectic craft. Through wit, color, and a contemporary twist on historical energy, the piece celebrates the playful versatility and expressive range of the modern reed trio.
Score Sample
Score of Jongleurs for reed trio
About Reed Trio (Trio d’Anches) Music
The reed trio, or trio d’anches, has a long tradition dating back to early 20th‑century French composers such as Ibert, Milhaud, and Françaix. Its distinctive combination of oboe, clarinet, and bassoon offers a perfect balance of color, agility, and expressive depth. Writing for this ensemble allows for intricate counterpoint, warm blended sonorities, and a wide range of articulations and timbres. These works contribute to the expanding contemporary repertoire for reed trio, providing performers with technically engaging and artistically rewarding pieces suitable for both recital and professional performance settings.
Reed Trio Repertoire List
This list represents the core repertoire for the reed trio (trio d’anches), a quintessentially French chamber ensemble format that flourished in the 20th century.
Claude Arrieu – Trio in C
A lighthearted, neoclassical work from 1936 featuring a mocking march and mischievous, witty interplay between the voices.
Georges Auric – Trio
Composed in 1938, this three-movement work is a standard of the repertoire, blending intricate woodwind harmonies with sophisticated French charm.
Eugène Bozza – Suite brève en trio
A virtuosic 1947 suite requiring advanced technical finesse; it explores delightful textures across four brief, expressive movements.
Pierre-Max Dubois – Trio d’anches
Written in 1958, this work follows the "Les Six" tradition with lighthearted character, interesting harmonic textures, and rhythmic dexterity.
Fernande Decruck – Trio classique
A mid-century work by a pioneering female composer, noted for its traditional structures and elegant, balanced woodwind writing.
Louis Durey – Divertissement
A graceful, neoclassical piece from a member of "Les Six," emphasizing clarity and the distinct tonal colors of each reed instrument.
Heitor Villa-Lobos – Trio (1921)
Bill Douglas – Trio
A modern addition featuring Douglas's signature blend of jazz, classical, and world music influences with rhythmic vitality.
Jacques Ibert – Cinq pièces en trio
One of the most famous reed trios, composed of five brief character pieces that are exceptionally witty and quintessentially Parisian.
Bohuslav Martinů – Quatre Madrigaux
A 1937 work showcasing the composer’s rhythmic energy and contrapuntal mastery, drawing inspiration from early vocal forms.
Darius Milhaud – Suite d’après Corrette
A charming suite based on 18th-century themes, reimagined with Milhaud’s characteristic polytonality and folk-like simplicity.
Erwin Schulhoff – Divertissement
A highly original work blending avant-garde techniques with folk elements and a sharp, satirical sense of humor.
Henri Tomasi – Concert champêtre
A rustic and colorful suite depicting a pastoral setting through evocative melodic lines and lively dance movements.
A monumental work of the repertoire, consolidating Brazilian folk-inspired rhythms with aggressive harmonic clashes and contrapuntal ingenuity.