Concertino for Flute and Piano

Composer's Note:

Concertino is inspired by the vacation trips I took with my family every August to Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada. There we met up with my in-laws in a small town called Little Current for a few weeks to sail on their sailboat. Manitoulin is one of many islands dotting Lake Huron between the United States and Canada; we would try to sail to them all.

Opus 9 wasn’t inspired by the islands, however. It was inspired by the 800-mile road trip that got us there. From our home in New Jersey, Manitoulin is exactly 800 miles northwest. Traveling by car to the boat was part of our vacation experience. We commuted up the New York Thruway, to Queen Elizabeth Way, and finally to the 400.

The further north you go, the less you see of modern civilization. During my drive, I would fantasize what it would be like to spend more time with the prior people of this land. Up the 400, I saw reservations belonging to the Anishinaabe, Algonquin, Iroquois, and the Wyandot tribes. As I drove through these beautiful lands, I created tunes in my head. (Being respectful to not use any of theirs.) From these thoughts, I created the Concertino.

The Concertino’s form is a rondo with the primary theme, A, alternating between episodes of themes B, C, and D. With each passing of the primary theme, the variations intertwine and unfurl, representing the the simplicity and complexity of the people and this place they lived in and travelled through over centuries. The beauty, isolation, and history of the area inspired the interplay of flute and piano behind this piece.