Concert Music

This is music meant to be performed in a concert or concert-like setting: in which the music itself is the main focus of attention (rather than being a subtle handmaiden to the movie or video game plot, for instance).

In writing this kind of music, I draw greatest inspiration from Western historical styles that made heavy and delightful use of counterpoint: Renaissance through Beethoven, Neoclassicism, and, under a broad sense of "counterpoint," much of modern Jazz.

Listen to samples of my concert music below. If you are interested in performing or commissioning any of my concert works, see my list of works and contact me.

Suite for Two Recorders

This piece takes its ethos from Renaissance recorder music and Bach's Two-Part Inventions. It is written for a Soprano recorder and an Alto recorder (aka Descant and Treble recorders); and it consists of eight short movements modeled on the dances typical of the Baroque Dance Suite: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, March, two Minuets, and Gigue.

The complete suite is available to listen (and/or purchase) at my Bandcamp site!

Passer, deliciae

This is a madrigal for four voices (SATB), which I wrote for a madrigal-themed concert by the Six Degree Singers. The text is an ancient Latin poem by the 1st-century-BC Roman poet Catullus; it describes a charming domestic scene of the poet's lover playing with her pet sparrow ("passer," in Latin). I had great fun text-painting the sparrow and its teasing playmate.

Melody for piano

This is a short piece whose melody (and counter-melody) enjoys switching back and forth between duple and triple rhythms. I plan for it to be part of a piano suite whose other movements will include a prelude, scherzo, minuet, and barcarolle.

Prelude for guitar

This is a short prelude for solo classical guitar. Inspired by my discovery of Renaissance guitar music during my undergraduate days, this is one of my first compositions in a classical style.