I. Affectionately II. Lively
Written in two movements, the Concertino combines classical, jazz and pop elements reflecting my early exposure to popular and jazz forms prior to my classical studies with Robert Ward. Originally, the Concertino was written in three movements, with the first of the three being based on my 1981 Jazz Ballad for piano. This movement did not seem to work well and a second try at a first movement based on my piano composition Clazzical Carrousel was also tried and abandoned. I suppose that what I learned from this exercise is that piano compositions are probably best left for piano.
Commissioned by tenor saxophonist James Houlik, Concertino for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra was premiered in September, 1991 by the Elon College Community Orchestra, David A. Bragg, conductor, with subsequent performances by conductor Lorenzo Muti's Tar River Orchestra and St. Stephens Chamber Orchestra.
The North Carolinians - St. Stephen's Chamber Orchestra (Albany Records 1995)