Availability

Score and parts for hire

Faber Music Ltd. is the sole agent for Bermel works published by Peermusic Classical in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

For these territories, contact the Faber Music Hire Library: http://www.fabermusic.com/content/hire-info

For other territories, including North and South America, South Korea and China, contact the Peermusic Classical Rental Library: http://www.subitomusic.com/rental/

Perusal score available here

Programme Notes

As a teenager I was an avid fan of the prog-rock band King Crimson in its second incarnation, which featured the great electric guitar duo Robert Fripp and Adrian Belew. When I set out to write this concerto, their mesmerizing contrapuntal textures came to mind. As the piece evolved, the material seemed connected to the Baroque 'concerto grosso', both in style and form (exemplified by composers such as Corelli and Vivaldi). Knowing that Wiek Hijmans is a formidable improviser, I left room for him to explore further musical possibilites, separating the ritornello sections with 'French Overture' interludes (exemplified by composers such as Lully), the second one overlaid with a thrash-metal (Metallica, Slayer, et al.) solo that likewise evokes the Baroque aesthetic in its mannered, epic style. I wish to express special thanks to Wiek, Mark Dancigers, David Alan Miller, Bas Wiegers, Jeffrey Kahane, Andrea Laguni, Mark Steven Brooks, Peermusic, and the Institute for Advanced Study, as well as Alison Bolton and the outstanding staff of the Albany Symphony.

Ritornello

Oude Kerk (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Wiek Hijmans

Ritornello

lunchtime concert

Het Concertgebouw (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Wiek Hijmans/Nederlands Jeugd Strijkorkest/Bas Wiegers

Ritornello

No Venue (Albany, NY, USA)

Wiek Hijmans/Albany Symphony Orchestra/David Alan Miller