In the Middle Ages, a triptych was an altar piece with a large central panel and two flanking panels which, as certain times of the church year, could be folded to cover the picture on the central panel. Today, the term “triptych” could be used for a triad of poems, three one-act operas, or a composition in three movements. This TRIPTYCH FOR STRINGS can be performed by full string orchestra or by a solo string quartet (Double Bass left out). The part of the optional Trumpet (in the first and third movements only) can be played by one or several players in unison, depending on the size of the string orchestra.