Concerto for Alto Saxophone or Clarinet in Bb and Piano

Concerto for Alto Saxophone or Clarinet in Bb and Chamber Orchestra is based on a cluster of half steps that derive from the beginning of an old, evocative Nat King Cole song. The cluster, first appearing at the opening of the work, is transformed through octave displacements into melodic figures of a lyrical nature and leads to a nightingale’s song. The interplay of tonal and atonal elements achieves changes of mood and affects the overall structure of the piece. Occasionally fast descending sonorities interrupt the tranquil mood of the music.

The Concerto begins with a cadenza of the solo instrument leading to a cluster of three notes in the orchestra. A dramatic middle section embellished by short, fast passages brings the music back to the opening three-note cluster. A highly contrapuntal section builds up to some very loud sonorities echoed by very soft clusters. The nightingale’s song appears again as an epilogue to the entire piece. The composition ends with some haunting sonorities enhanced by antique cymbals and triangles.

The Concerto was completed in 1989 and was revised in its present version in 2001. This composition is an outgrowth of the work Midnight Song for soprano and chamber orchestra.