Concerto for Viola, Cello & Orchestra

The concerto seeks to exploit the timbre and tessitura of both the viola and the cello while enhancing that partnership with the multiple timbres of the orchestra. The first movement themes are lyrical, somber and reflective, while the second movement features a passionate theme consisting of falling sevenths. The final movement is dance-like and reflects a rather magical and whimsical mood. After an extended cadenza for the viola and cello, a spirited coda aptly ends the work.

Genre: Solo Viola & Cello with Orchestra | # of Players: Standard + 2
Level: 5 | Duration: 21:45

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1
Flute 2
Oboe 1/2
Clarinet 1/2 in Bb
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon 1/2

Horn 1/2
Horn 3/4
Trumpet 1 in Bb
Trumpet 2 in Bb
Trumpet 3 in Bb
Trombone 1
Trombone 2
Bass Trombone
Tuba

Timpani
Percussion 1 (Bells, Xylophone, Brake Drum, Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 2 (Vibraphone, Xylophone, Crotales, Crash Cymbals, Suspended Cymbal, Tambourine)
Percussion 3 (5-octave Marimba, Hi-Hat, 4 Concert Toms, Tam-Tam, Bass Drum, Brake Drum)

Piano

Solo Viola
Solo Cello

Violin I
Violin II
Viola
Cello
Bass

Program Notes
The Concerto for Viola, Cello and Orchestra is dedicated to my daughter, Amy, her good friend, Holly Attar and Carlton Woods, conductor of the Central Michigan University Symphony Orchestra for the occasion of his retirement at the close of the academic year, 2006-2007.

The concerto seeks to exploit the timbre and tessitura of both the viola and the cello while enhancing that partnership with the multiple timbres of the orchestra. The first movement is cast in a sonata design in A minor. The themes are lyrical, somber and reflective. The second movement is structured in ABA song form in D Major and features a passionate theme consisting of falling sevenths. The final movement, in sonata-rondo design, is dance-like in prevailing 6/8 meter and reflects a rather magical and whimsical mood. The return of the first theme in the recapitulation becomes an extended cadenza for the viola and cello. A spirited coda aptly ends the work.