Instrumentation: Solo Bb Clainet and Secondary soloists in two groups:

Group I: Flute, Xylophone, Bassoon, Trumpet I, Horn

Group II: Trombone, Oboe (doubling on English Horn), Timpani (3), Trumpt II (con sordino), Tenor Soxaphone

Concert Wind Ensemble: Fl. I-II, Oboes, Eb Cl. Bb Cl. I-III; Bsns., Cbsn.//

Alto Sax I-II, Ten. Sax, Bari. Sax; Tmpts. I-III, Hns. I-IV, Ten. Tmbs. I-II,

Bs. Tmb, Tuba, Euph., Timp (3) + Perc. (3).

 

Duration: ca. 20 minutes

 

Performance History: Unperformed

 

Availability:  Available in manuscript/score form only (non-Finale). Inquiries to request a copy should be addressed to the composer.

 

 

Program notes:

 

Concerto 1010 was completed in 1992 and was composed in partial fulfillment for the Ph.D. from Rutgers University. The work is dedicated to a long time friend and mentor of the composer's, Dr. Samuel Adler.

 

Concerto 1010 is scored for solo B-flat clarinet, additional solo instruments, and concert wind ensemble. It is unique in that the formal structure was inspired by, and derived from, the broadcast format employed by the metropolitan New York all-news radio station, WINS 1010. A twenty-two minute segment was randomly selected and analyzed with respect to statement, order, duration, and nature of news items as well as their subsequent repetition and development. These events, in conjunction with other features of the broadcast (i.e., commercial interruptions, statements of time and weather, and the ostinato-like clicking of the teletype used as the station's signature) were assigned motivic material, comprising the melodic/rhythmic aspect of the concerto. Though specific news events inspired the motivic element, it was primarily the "rhythm and form" of the broadcast itself that served as the extra-music subject matter for this work. On one level, the concerto demonstrates a highly segmented style with constant balancing and juxtaposition of disparate motivic material. Yet, on another level, there exist embedded larger constructs, such as a theme and variations and a four movement symphonic form. These larger segmentations have also been derived from the broadcast model.

 

The timbral aspect of Concerto 1010 was similarly influenced by the broadcast. The solo clarinet represents the "main announcer" while secondary soloists portray "correspondants in the field." This distinction is enhanced spatially by placing the clarinet directly in front of the wind ensemble, while the secondary soloists are set apart in two groups toward the back of the theatre. The wind ensemble itself serves two functions: 1) to act as accompaniment and simultaneous commentary, and 2) to serve, during the commercial interruptions, in the capacity of an instrumental interlude (providing instrumental "ritornelli" as found in standard concerto form.)