Concertino

for flute solo, chamber winds, and piano
(2007)
Duration: 16'
3 mvts: I. Vif, II. Chant du Soir, III. Voix argentine
PROFESSIONAL

Commissioned by:
Boston College, Sebastian Bonaiuto, Director of Bands
The Florida State University, Richard Clary, Senior Band Conductor
Georgia State University, Robert J. Ambrose, Director of Bands
Kennesaw State University, Peter Witte, Director of Bands
Louisiana State University, Frank B. Wickes, Director of Bands
Tarleton State University, Jonathan Hooper, Director of Bands
University of Puget Sound, Robert Taylor, Director of Bands
University of Tennessee, Gary Sousa, Director of Bands
Valdosta State University, Joe H. Brashier, Director of Bands
Willamette University, Tim Robblee, Director of Bands
additional support provided by: Azure Ensemble, Susan Glaser, Artistic Director

Consortium organized by Robert J. Ambrose, Georgia State University

FlSolo(Fl/Picc/Alto), Ob1, Ob2/EHn, Cl1/EbCl, Cl2/BCl, 2Bsn, 2Hn, Pno

Parts available for hire. Score available for sale from OK Feel Good Music, or from Shattinger Music.

This Concertino takes the lively French chamber wind literature of the early 20th-century as its starting point, but this piece views the "French" style through an odd lens, twisting and bending the language of that neo-Classical genre in order to run the music through very different stylistic approaches. In the later movements, the Franco-survey is expanded to other inspirations—to not only the techniques of other French nationals, but also of those I consider "French" in spirit, such as Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. In writing the piece, I was particularly excited to explore these styles while juxtaposing the virtuosity of the soloist with the delicate intimacy of the chamber ensemble.

Practically, the work comes out of the efforts of my friend and colleague Robert Ambrose, a champion of new music who encouraged me to write for chamber winds, and flute in particular, and who shepherded the project with infectious enthusiasm. The Concertino is dedicated to flutist Sarah Kruser Ambrose, for whom it was written.

An errata list is available to correct early editions of this work.

Download program note.

RECENT PERFORMANCES

WVU Chamber Winds, West Virginia University, Francesca Arnone, flute soloist / John Weigand, conductor - Apr 29 2008

ASU Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, Arizona State University School of Music, Gary Hill, conductor / Jonathan Newman, guest composer residency - Apr 01 2008

Boston University School of Music Chamber Orchestra, Town Hall, New York City, Richard Cornell, conductor / NY Premiere / BU CFA "InCite Arts Festival" - Mar 13 2008