North Country Concerto

This cello concerto includes four programmatic movements.  The first movement, Early in the Morning - at the Break of Day, refers to the energy one often has during the first part of the day, with a spirited solo part.  Movement II, A Stillness, focuses on short patterns, which vary slightly and grow in intensity as the music slowly unfolds.  The third movement, An Arc in the Sky, is influenced by rough-hewn folk music.  And movement IV is based on the familiar "Riddle Song" ("I gave my love a cherry that had no stone, I gave my love a baby with no cryin',") full of sighing motives and blues harmonies and non-tonal excursions that surround a simple tune.

 

A piano reduction of the complete concerto is available from the publisher, and the complete concerto and the third movement alone are also available for rent.