PIANO

Spontaneous D-Combustion

The idea for Spontaneous D-Combustion originated in conversations with my wonderful pianist friend Mary Kathleen Ernst, who wanted to have something that would be very tuneful and accessible; that would be of variable length and of variable orchestration; that could be flexibly programmed in different settings. The concept was thus born: a piano concerto in three (and eventually more) movements that can be played in any number and in any order; these can also be presented in various formats: solo, with a chamber ensemble, with a symphony orchestra – or with a rock-fusion band... To give it a center and some sense of coherence, I decided that every movement would be in the key of D – and that this unusual piece might begin (and perhaps end) with a tempestuous, bravura flourish, lighting a fire under performers and audiences alike.

The piece was recorded in 2014 by Ernst on an album of music by women composers