Concertino (2013)
For Oboe, English Horn and String Sextet
Duration - 9 min.
Premiered by Manhattan School of Music String Ensemble on February 12th, 2013 with Victoria Lee & Brett Bakalar, soloists and Derek Cooper, conductor.
Composer’s Note:
My first goal in writing Concertino was to create two distinct characters, in this case, the Oboe and English Horn. The Oboe begins with a berceuse-like melody, while the English Horn’s entrance is more ambiguous and rhythmically jagged. Over the course of the piece, these two characters interact through a variety of musical settings, their material or personalities continually developing. The strings, more than mere accompaniment, provide commentary on the dramatic action, much like a Greek chorus. They establish each musical scene, interact with the two woodwinds, and further develop the musical material. And while there is a strong concertante element in the piece, it is essentially chamber music. There is a conversational quality, a sense of give-and-take between everyone involved that makes the two woodwinds first among equals as opposed to featured concert soloists. Each of the eight instruments has something unique and important to say.