Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, opus 22 (2009-10; rev. 2014)
INSTRUMENTATION: solo piano; orchestra: 2 flutes (alto), 2 oboes (eng. hn.), 3 clarinets (e-flat, a, b.cl.), 2 bassoons (cbsn.), 2 horns in F, 1 trumpet in C, 1 trombone, timp., 3 percussionists, strings (approx. 66442)
Katabasis
Hidden Temple and Falling Dreams
The Concerto for Piano and Orchestra is a large work utilizing an orchestra with double woodwinds (three in the case of the clarinets), with each player performing solely on his or her own member of their family, a light brass section, and a variety of percussion instruments as well as strings. The work was originally cast in one movement, but after its initial completion I felt that the ending of the work necessitated an "answer" to balance the form. In the first movement, the orchestra and the piano explore a variety of themes, placing them in a variety of contexts and textures and exploring the full gambit of expression associated with a "katabasis" -- a Greek word meaning a descent into the underworld, but which also refers to a psychological descent as well. The answering second movement takes the opposite approach, where thematic material and development struggle against their own inertia to retain a sense of purity before they are distorted and ultimately destroyed under their own weight.
The work was premiered in its entirety at my senior composition recital, in the UNCG School of Music, Theater, and Dance Recital Hall -- Thursday, November 4, 2010; and again performed (with slight revisions) at the "Farewell, Greensboro! Winter Concert" on Friday, January 31, 2014.
Will Kelley, conductor; Carlos M Fuentes, piano
Written and performed by Carlos M. Fuentes, piano. Copyright 2011. Conducted by Eduardo Vargas Erin Moscony, flute; Lauren Correll, alto flute; David Covert, oboe; Matthew Covington, english horn; Jake Hollifield, e-flat clarinet; Liam Scott, a-clarinet; Laura Martin, bass clarinet; Lamar Gaddy, bassoon; Trevor Bumgarner, contrabassoon; Kevin Crumley, Horn I; David Miller, Horn II; Lance Sigmon, c-trumpet; Malik Barrows, trombone; Justin Barrett, timpani; Kristen Freeman, percussion I; Keyan Peterson, percussion II; Alex Kluttz, percussion III; David Parks, Laura Blankenship, & Travis Dunn, violin I; Megan Guilliano, Jonathan Frederick, & Derrick Foskey, violin II; Christen Blanton, Charles Parker, & Sarah Baugher, viola; Jonathan Stuart-Moore, Maelyn Cable, & Chad Shaffer, cello; Tony Watson, bass.
The work was premiered in its entirety at my senior composition recital, in the UNCG School of Music, Theater, and Dance Recital Hall -- Thursday, November 4, 2010.
Written and performed by Carlos M. Fuentes, piano. Copyright 2011. Conducted by Eduardo Vargas Erin Moscony, flute; Lauren Correll, alto flute; David Covert, oboe; Matthew Covington, english horn; Jake Hollifield, e-flat clarinet; Liam Scott, a-clarinet; Laura Martin, bass clarinet; Lamar Gaddy, bassoon; Trevor Bumgarner, contrabassoon; Kevin Crumley, Horn I; David Miller, Horn II; Lance Sigmon, c-trumpet; Malik Barrows, trombone; Justin Barrett, timpani; Kristen Freeman, percussion I; Keyan Peterson, percussion II; Alex Kluttz, percussion III; David Parks, Laura Blankenship, & Travis Dunn, violin I; Megan Guilliano, Jonathan Frederick, & Derrick Foskey, violin II; Christen Blanton, Charles Parker, & Sarah Baugher, viola; Jonathan Stuart-Moore, Maelyn Cable, & Chad Shaffer, cello; Tony Watson, bass.
The work was premiered in its entirety at my senior composition recital, in the UNCG School of Music, Theater, and Dance Recital Hall -- Thursday, November 4, 2010.