Stephenson: Sonata for piccolo and piano; mvmts. 1 & 2

performed by Jennifer Gunn, principal piccolo with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
https://composerjim.com/works/piccolo...
James M. Stephenson
Sonata for Piccolo and Piano
In 2017, I approached Jennifer Gunn, the piccolo player of the Chicago Symphony, about collaborating on a new piccolo sonata. Jennifer and I had known each other for several years, having done a music festival or two together, and of course, I had regularly been awed by her performances with the Chicago Symphony whenever I attended. With her blessing, I put out a call for interested flute/piccolo players, who might wish to be a part of the project, by supporting its creation. I am incredibly indebted to all of them, and their names are listed to the right.
The resulting sonata is in four movements.
I am quite fond of the low register of the piccolo, and throughout this work, I try to take advantage of its cold, haunting sound. The first movement is almost a slow marching dirge, revealing an arching and aching presentation. The second movement quickly changes moods, with quirky, jazz-tinged toccata-style ostinato rhythms and melodies.
The third movement is the loneliest of the four. Somewhat cadenza-like, always yearning, this short movement allows for much expression from the performer.
Again, a quick mood-shift is introduced in the fourth movement. Motifs from the first movement underscore the technical virtuosic piccolo solos; a short interlude again looks back; and finally the coda drives toward the exciting finish. And yes, there are some high notes. It is a sonata for piccolo, after all.
Again, a most sincere thank you to Jennifer for collaborating with me, and supporting this idea. And a huge shout out to all those who joined in, and trusted a former trumpet player to write for piccolo!
More music for flute and piccolo can be found at ComposerJim.com.
The list of those who contributed:
Jennifer Gunn, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Carole Bean, National Symphony Orchestra
Christine Erlander Beard, University of Nebraska at Omaha Amanda Baker, Eastern Connecticut State University Amanda Blaikie, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Cindy Anne Broz
Carla Copeland-Burns, Duke University
Lesley Duff
Kate Flum
Anne Sheedy Gardner
Dr. Keith Hanlon, Flute Authority
Debora Harris, Concordia College
Gudrun Hinze, Gewandhaus zu Leipzig
Katayoon Hodjati, The U.S. Army Field Band
Sarah Jackson, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Jamaal Crowder
Dr. Krista Jobson, University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Toye Johnson
Kathleen Karr, the Louisville Orchestra
Keefe Piccolos
Matt Klohs
Walfrid and Sherry Kujala
(Walfrid Kujala, Chicago Symphony Piccolo Emeritus, retired 2001)
Kelly Kuo, Artistic Director, Oregon Mozart Players Beth Larsen, Naples Philharmonic
William Harris Lee
Amy Likar, Oakland Symphony
Megan Lomonof, The “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band Angela Massey, SW Florida Symphony, Astralis Ensemble Peggy Michel
Courtney Morton, “The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band Rik Noyce, California State University, Dominguez Hills Erica Peel, The Philadelphia Orchestra
Julia Richter, Elgin Symphony Orchestra
Esperanza Salgado
Elizabeth Shuhan, The Fort Smith Symphony
Laurie Sokoloff, Peabody Institute, Johns Hopkins University Sandra Stout
Laurel Swinden, Wilfrid Laurier University Mary-Elizabeth Thompson, Sul Ross State University Krysia Tripp, University of Southern Maine
Breanna Vazquez, Chicago High School for the Arts Megan Volk
Therese Wacker, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Camille Watts, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Regina Helcher Yost, Charleston Symphony Orchestra