Duos

flute and piano

"Acadian Dreams" was commissioned by flutist, Rebecca Jeffreys, in honor of her father whose lineage is from Acadia. This one movement work is programatic and tells, through music, the history of the Acadian people immigrating from France to Nova Scotia in the 1600s. Longfellow composed his epic poem, "Evangeline", based on the the Acadian people, and it ends in the contemporary influence of Zydeco music in New Orleans. "Acadian Dreams" is published and can be purchased through Kenter Canyon Music (ASCAP). It is also available through Theodore Front Music Literature and FluteWorld.

duet for clarinet and bassoon

A playful and deliciously fun piece for clarinet and bassoon with an ending that will surprise and amuse. Boogie Woogie for the new Millennium.

duet for alto flute and guitar

An adaptation of LA Tango Nuevo, the commissioners of the original piece, Corey Whitehead and Alan Durst, likened the work to a Rock/ Tango/ Aria. Transcribed for Helen Rosenblatt, flutist, of Blackledgemusic, "CT. Tango Nuevo" combines a rock rhythmic ostinato with elements of lyricism. Happily, the work has been chosen to be performed for the Celebrazioni Trentennale Della Fondazione Adkins Chiti: Donne In Musica in Rome in November, 2008. It is the only work chosen from the USA for this concert of Music of Three Americas. The rhythmic backdrop set by the guitar from the onset is one that is driving; taking advantage of the guitar's percussive abilities and nuance. I thought the alto flute would sound beautiful as it floats above the guitar in a care-free, yet lyrical melody. The development section of the piece is reminiscent of tango through the single note arpeggiated guitar accompaniment and melodic content of the alto flute. At the return of the A section, CT. Tango Nuevo drives to the end with energy and excitement.

for cello and piano

Originally composed for bassoon and piano, this transcription suits the cello with piano. The three movements are titled:
1. Cycles - Commissioned by Carolyn Beck, "Circadia", a sonata for bassoon and piano in three movements, refers to the daily pulse, rhythms and cycle of activities observed in many living organisms. The first movement, "Cycles", is a wild and disjointed chase between the instruments. The cyclic rhythms vary between a triplet motif with the bassoon both chasing and being chased by the piano, and a more jazzy section with the two instruments figuratively and literally playing with one another. The movement ends with the instruments playing the original motif ensemble.
2. Nightfall - Since the horrible events of 9/11, our world seem to be moving with harrowing speed toward the precipice of Armageddon. The second movement, "Nightfall", is a reflective, melancholy and brooding piece which mirrors the descent from day into night. Finally "Spring Ahead" (which refers to the change to daylight savings time in the spring) is a ray of hope in which bassoon and piano have fun cavorting and playing tricks on one another.
3. Spring Ahead - Lori Alexander, composer writes: "Your piece was rich with ideas... very full harmonically, and melodically:... A very, very substantial, moving and impressive work. Congratulations!"

for bassoon and piano

Three movements for Bassoon and Piano. Commissioned by Carolyn Beck. The three movements are titled:
1. Cycles - Commissioned by Carolyn Beck, "Circadia", a sonata for bassoon and piano in three movements, refers to the daily pulse, rhythms and cycle of activities observed in many living organisms. The first movement, "Cycles", is a wild and disjointed chase between the instruments. The cyclic rhythms vary between a triplet motif with the bassoon both chasing and being chased by the piano, and a more jazzy section with the two instruments figuratively and literally playing with one another. The movement ends with the instruments playing the original motif ensemble.
2. Nightfall - Since the horrible events of 9/11, our world seem to be moving with harrowing speed toward the precipice of Armageddon. The second movement, "Nightfall", is a reflective, melancholy and brooding piece which mirrors the descent from day into night. Finally "Spring Ahead" (which refers to the change to daylight savings time in the spring) is a ray of hope in which bassoon and piano have fun cavorting and playing tricks on one another.
3. Spring Ahead - Lori Alexander, composer writes: "Your piece was rich with ideas... very full harmonically, and melodically:... A very, very substantial, moving and impressive work. Congratulations!"

three movements for bassoon and piano

Three movements for Bassoon and Piano. Commissioned by Carolyn Beck. The three movements are titled:
1. Cycles - Commissioned by Carolyn Beck, "Circadia", a sonata for bassoon and piano in three movements, refers to the daily pulse, rhythms and cycle of activities observed in many living organisms. The first movement, "Cycles", is a wild and disjointed chase between the instruments. The cyclic rhythms vary between a triplet motif with the bassoon both chasing and being chased by the piano, and a more jazzy section with the two instruments figuratively and literally playing with one another. The movement ends with the instruments playing the original motif ensemble.
2. Nightfall - Since the horrible events of 9/11, our world seem to be moving with harrowing speed toward the precipice of Armageddon. The second movement, "Nightfall", is a reflective, melancholy and brooding piece which mirrors the descent from day into night. Finally "Spring Ahead" (which refers to the change to daylight savings time in the spring) is a ray of hope in which bassoon and piano have fun cavorting and playing tricks on one another.
3. Spring Ahead - Lori Alexander, composer writes: "Your piece was rich with ideas... very full harmonically, and melodically:... A very, very substantial, moving and impressive work. Congratulations!"

duet for clarinet and bass clarinet

Transcribed from Bassoonet Boogie, Clarinets Boogie is a playful and deliciously fun piece for clarinet and bass clarinet with an ending that will surprise and amuse. A real audience pleaser.

for two cellos

"Elegy" is a beautiful, elegiac work dedicated to a dear friend who died suddenly. In her memory, I have written this short but intensely personal homage to a lost friend. The marvelous cellists, Ruslan Biryukov and Maksim Velichken (both students of Rostropovich) premiered this work in August, 2010 at the Steinway Concerts in the Canyon series.

for violin and cello

"Elegy" is a beautiful,elegiac work dedicated to a dear friend who died suddenly. In her memory, I have written this short but intensely personal homage to a lost friend. The wonderful violinist, Anna Cromwell, and cellist, Mira Frisch have recorded this work on their CD, Dancing on Glass, released by Albany in 2020.

clarinet and piano

"Fantasia" (2002) was composed for the superb saxophonist (and clarinetist), Doug Masek. Among the many advantages of writing a work for a specific musician is that it allows the work to evolve into an extension of his or her own voice I had originally intended to write this work for saxophone, but as Doug and I worked together, it became clear that the perfect voice for this piece at that time was the clarinet. With its mood shifts, rhythmic changes, and harmonic and melodic surprises, it is a challenging and fun piece for both the clarinetist and the pianist. Too often, the piano is left as a step-child to the solo instrument. This work explores the colors of both the clarinet and piano, has jazz and Latin influences and challenges the players to listen to one another. In the spring of 2013, the wonderful alto saxophonist and DMA student at USC AND student of Doug Masek, Chika Inoue, performed the new version for alto sax with Mary Au, pianist. In 2014, the wonderful flutist, Rik Noyce, asked me to compose a version for C Flute. Rik gave the Canadian premiere in June of 2015 and has performed it numerous times in the U.S.

version for bass clarinet and piano

"Fantasia" (2014) was originally composed for the superb saxophonist (and clarinetist), Doug Masek. .When the marvelous flutist, Rik Noyce, heard the piece he declared that he wanted to perform it on flute. With its mood shifts, rhythmic changes, and harmonic and melodic surprises, it is a challenging and fun piece for both the flutist and the pianist. Too often, the piano is left as a step-child to the solo instrument. This work explores the colors of both instruments, has jazz and Latin influences and challenges the players to listen to one another. In the spring of 2013, the wonderful alto saxophonist and DMA student at USC AND student of Doug Masek, Chika Inoue, performed the new version for alto sax with Mary Au, pianist. In 2014, the wonderful flutist, Rik Noyce, asked me to compose a version for C Flute. Rik gave the Canadian premiere in June of 2015 and has performed it numerous times in the U.S.

version for alto saxophone and piano

"Fantasia" (2014) was originally composed for the superb saxophonist (and clarinetist), Doug Masek. .When the marvelous flutist, Rik Noyce, heard the piece he declared that he wanted to perform it on flute. With its mood shifts, rhythmic changes, and harmonic and melodic surprises, it is a challenging and fun piece for both the flutist and the pianist. Too often, the piano is left as a step-child to the solo instrument. This work explores the colors of both instruments, has jazz and Latin influences and challenges the players to listen to one another. In the spring of 2013, the wonderful alto saxophonist and DMA student at USC AND student of Doug Masek, Chika Inoue, performed the new version for alto sax with Mary Au, pianist. In 2014, the wonderful flutist, Rik Noyce, asked me to compose a version for C Flute. Rik gave the Canadian premiere in June of 2015 and has performed it numerous times in the U.S.