Triple Threat, Op. 124 (2021)

Program Notes:

Kelsey Maes and I went to the University of Illinois together and first collaborated in a performance of Grainger's original scoring of Hill-Song Nr. 1 in spring 2018 (for two piccolos, six oboes, six English horns, six bassoons, and contrabassoon!). During the pandemic, some mutual friends put together an Among Us Discord server together, so we've kept in touch on a mostly-weekly basis for the past year or so. This spring, Kelsey asked me if I might be interested in writing a piece for her, to be premiered on a recital in fall 2021. Having never written a solo work for oboe before, I eagerly accepted!

This piece is based on the number three, which is reflected (in no particular order) in the number of movements, the number of instruments (although oboe d'amore may be omitted in some performances if not available), the tempi, the movement titles, the meter, the form, and the harmonic language!