Manhattan [HL:44004952]

Also available for trumpet and piano (HL44005496)

Manhattan was commissioned by the United States Army Band for their trumpet soloist Woodrow English, and first performed by them in Carnegie Hall, New York, in November 2003. Wanting to write a piece that demonstrated both the lyrical and technical abilities of this outstanding player, the composer decided on a two-movement work showcasing these qualities, and with the intention that the movements could be played individually when a shorter solo is required. The theme is a weekend in New York, and the opening bluesy movement (“Saturday Serenade”) describes the city on a Saturday night, perhaps in a smoke-filled jazz bar. While writing “Sunday Scherzo,” the composer pictured an early morning jog in Central Park. This vivaciously rhythmic movement ends with an even quicker coda which brings the work to a brilliant close.