Caltabiano: Concertini, for Orchestra or Large Ensemble

Concertini

Duration:

22'

Year:

1992

Version for Small Orchestra
1(Picc.) 1 1 1 - 2 1 1 0; 1Perc. Pno. Str.

Version for 15 Players
1(Picc.) 1 1 1 - 2 1 1 0; Perc. Pno. Str.(2 1 1 1 0)

Catalog No.:

rental only

Audio excerpts are from the 15-instrument version, and are complete movements.
	Movement I. (1' -- 965 K)	download

	Movement III. (1' 17" -- 1.2 MB)	download

	Movement IX. (2' 44" -- 1.3 MB)	download

As its title implies, Concertini comprises a series of short movements and features the alternation of solo and tutti sections. The movements range in length from one to four minutes; total duration is about 22 minutes. The work exists in two versions: the original orchestral version, which was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony, and a version for 15 instruments. The reduced instrumentation includes flute doubling piccolo, Bb clarinet doubling Eb clarinet, oboe, bassoon, two horns, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion (vibraphone, marimba, and timpani), and string quintet.

To achieve unity and coherence in a work with so many disparate parts, all the movements share an ever-varying cantus firmus, as well as motivic and thematic elements. Gestures are echoed and transformed; conflicts revealed in one movement are heightened or resolved in another. Range and orchestration also come into play: The early and late movements focus on the bottom of the orchestral palette, while the middle movements use the highest orchestral sounds. The featured instruments for each movement are: I: Low strings, piano, timpani, bassoon; II: Tutti; III: Brass; IV: Tutti; V: Piccolo, oboe, clarinet; VI: Violin; VII: Violin, viola; VIII: Tutti; IX: Trumpet; X: Tutti.

While the movements are interrelated, each has its own character: Raucous rumblings of the first movement are made more linear in the introspective andante piacevole that follows. The intervals of the third movement's rhythmic brass chorale are followed by a more melancholy treatment in the andante moderato. Material first presented by strident and insistent winds in movement V also appears in VII, tutti sections, and in VIII, with a maniacal obsession. A lyrical contrapuntal web of sound (VI) is later clarified in greater tranquillity (IX). The kaleidoscopic finale allows echoes of all previous movements.

Completed in 1991, Concertini was commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony. Each movement is dedicated to a composer whose work I greatly admire: George Perle, Elliott Carter, Peter Maxwell Davies, Donald Martino, Charles Wuorinen, Ellen Zwilich, Jacob Druckman, John Adams, Vincent Persichetti (in memoriam), and Ned Rorem.

-- R.C

Caltabiano's Concertini was a striking and original work in 10 movements, each in a different character, six featuring either solo instruments or particular combinations. The extraordinary thing was the coherence and continuity between movements achieved despite their individuality, the brilliance of the contrasts of mood, of texture - dark, cloudy, impressionistic, bright and high. Caltabiano produces strong, evocative gestures by way of musical ideas, but they are as pronounced as they are brief.
- San Francisco Chronicle


		Concertini, performed by The Group for Contemporary Music, conducted by the composer, is available on CRI CD 835 on a collection of Caltabiano instrumental music. The CD can be purchased in any retail store, or on line at Amazon.com.