Concertino

Concertino for two cellos and string orchestra opens with a type of brief fanfare in the solo cellos before the main theme is introduced in the strings. This lively, syncopated theme is developed and moves between the soloists and the ensemble before arriving at a calmer middle section. The initial rhythm of the motive here recalls the brief opening fanfare. This middle section closes with cadenza-like interplay between the soloists that brings a return to the opening material. The repetition of the opening is expanded to include another cadenza-like passage, before the movement ends with a rousing coda.

 

The second movement presents a slow, lyrical Interlude, the melody of which is related in part to the first movement’s middle section. This Interlude acts as both a substitute slow movement and as an introduction to the animated and energetic music that follows. This is dance music that grows progressively faster, from Allegro to Vivo, to più Vivo and beyond, until it flies to a sparkling conclusion.

 

Concertino was composed as a result of winning the Iowa Composers Forum 2006 Linn-Mar Double Concerto Commission Competition.  The work was premiered by the Linn-Mar Chamber Orchestra (Iowa), Joshua Reznicow, conducting, with soloists Carey Bostian and his student Sarah Malerich.

 

In 2017, following a slight revision of the work, it was recorded in Sofia, Bulgaria – this recording appears on Beck’s 2020 recording, by moonlight (innova 1051). This version was premiered 28 February 2019 in Mexico City by the Orquesta de Cámara de Bellas Artes, José Luis Castillo, artistic conductor, with soloists Luz del Carmen Águila and Adriana Carrasco. It was performed again by this group with the same soloists on 3 March 2019 at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música. The composer attended both of these performances and especially enjoyed that the final measures of the first movement were presented as an encore at the Conservatorio.

 

As it was presented in Mexico City, this composition provides an excellent programming companion to Vivaldi’s Concerto in G Minor for Two Cellos, RV 531.