Concerto for Viola and Orchestra

Description

Viola, Flute 1, Flute 2, Alto Flute, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, English Horn, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Horn in F 1, Horn in F 2, Horn in F 3, Horn in F 4, Trumpet in C 1, Trumpet in C 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Trombone 3, Tuba, Timpani, Percussion, Piano, Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello, Contrabass — I wrote this piece with a darker sonority and an emphasis on lyricism, qualities that I associate with the viola. xa0In the first movement, titled "Fantasia," thexa0viola begins with a quiet and free cadenza, becoming more passionate until the woodwinds join in dialogue with the soloist.xa0 Gradually the rest of the orchestra enters, exploring ideas from the solo cadenza while introducing a new theme that reappears in the last movement.The second movement is a scherzo, mischievous in mood with the orchestra andxa0violaxa0trading barbed jokes.xa0The antics are interrupted by a brass chorale with embellishment from thexa0viola.xa0 The scherzo then resumes with prominent contributions from the bassoons.The last movement, titled “Nocturne,” plays with different kinds of music associated with the night.xa0 A sensual and romantic atmosphere gives way to something more menacing and ultimately violent.xa0 After a climax from the full orchestra, soft strings and soloxa0violaxa0lead us into the coda, taking an ambiguous idea from the first movement and transforming it into a lyrical and heartfelt prayer.xa0 The concerto ends with the soloxa0viola ascending on the crest of an orchestral wave of sound.