About this work:
Program note:
I lived in São Paulo, Brazil, during my teenage years, from 1959 to 1966. Consequently, the samba and the bossa nova are forever engraved into my heart. So, when Larry Tamburri, Executive Director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, proposed that I write a flute concerto for Bart Feller, principal flutist of the NJSO, he (Larry) thought it would be most appropriate if I wrote something inspired by my musical experiences in Brazil.
The result is "Flauta Carioca," literally meaning, "flute in the manner of the people of Rio de Janeiro." The work is in three movements. The first is a "chôro," an instrumental ensemble music that features a soloist that is often virtuosic when it is fast, and lyrical when it is slow. The second movement is a bossa nova. It features Bart on the alto flute and the music is very luscious and sexy. The listener can fantasize about Rio and the beach at Ipanema. The last movement begins with a slow introduction, a pastorale. Without a break, a "forró" enters in the strings, followed immediately by the percussion. "Forró" is party music, and this last movement is all about dancing. As a matter of fact, Bart wants to party all night ... The evening finally ends when someone turns the light out!!!