My collaboration with David Maslanka dates back several years, when I performed and recorded (for Albany records) his Piano Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Wind Ensemble with the Illinois State Wind Symphony, directed by Stephen K. Steele. The concerto’s difficulty and wild virtuosity intimidated me at first, but I decide to take on the challenge! The road to the live performance and recording sessions was tortuous, but in the end, we succeeded, resulting in a rewarding and valuable experience. (For additional information on Concerto No. 1, please click on: David Maslanka Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2)

Motivated by that first experience, I subsequently approached David Maslanka about the possibility of writing a new concerto for piano and wind symphony, but in a “calmer” style than that first one. According to the composer, the new concerto “… moves between a very interior quality and explosiveness, finally settling in a very quiet internal space. It seems like several movements packed together into one […] This piece was not easy to write. There are new things here for me. I feel like a transition is happening to yet another quality of expression. My music, yes, but new.”

The Concerto No. 3 was commissioned as a consortium. The world premiere will take place here at Central Michigan University, with CMU’s Symphonic Wind Ensemble, under the direction of John. E. Williamson.