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PROGRAM NOTES
In late 2017, I was invited to compose a concertante showpiece for Jasmine Choi to premiere at the following summer's convention of the National Flute Association, for an audience of over 2000 flutists. While I've long been taken by Jasmine's elegant virtuosity, I was especially excited to write for her exuberant spirit which is a natural fit for my musical language; it sings, it dances, it gets giddy.
Most of my works are programmatic, with nature-inspired or impressionistic imagery, yet for this special opportunity I went with a more formal Concertino, full of dialog and theatrics between the soloist and the ensemble, or in some cases between the soloist and individuals within the orchestra. In fact, there are two cadenzas, both of which gradually turn into dances with the soloist joined by only one or two solo string players.
Wanting this to be a viable competition piece, particularly for school concerto competitions, I composed the Concertino with a playable piano part first, and then orchestrated. The orchestral parts are within reach of school and volunteer orchestras, and easy for professional orchestras to put together without much rehearsal time.
REVIEWS
"This must have been the jewel of the event [2018 NFA Convention]! From the outset, this gem of a piece sparkles with colour, space and movement. It is wonderfully accessible to professional and more advanced flute players who fancy adding a new American work to their programmes. Daniel Dorff writes very sympathetically for the flute, creating lines and passages that give flight to the chord progressions throughout the work. It simply sails in sunlight...
It's such a wonderful piece to play as a soloist, and really offers a platform to show sound, dialogue, colour and personality. This is a true work for the concert flute player... fun, fast, sometimes frivolous, and fabulous!"
– Pan Magazine (Lisa Nelsen), March 2019
"Sure to become a repertoire staple amongst concertizing flutists... lush, harmonically rich orchestration that provides a beautiful backdrop of color for the flutist... Dorff's Concertino is very fun to play, especially due to the composer's mindfulness to write idiomatically for our instrument."
– Flutist Quarterly (Julie Koidin), Fall 2019
"This true showpiece in a romantic, attractive style... should gain favor for students and professional alike. The piece is a wonderful new addition to the flute and orchestra repertoire.
– Flute Talk (Katherine Borst Jones), May/June 2019
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