Program Notes:

When I first heard soprano Monica Garcia sing, I was determined to compose a new work for her. Simultaneously, I was concerned about the decline of music written for the bassoon during the 20th century, and it was important for me to make my small contribution by writing a Bassoon Concerto. Somehow, these two intentions came together in The Spanish Songs.

While searching for poems, I had specific criteria in mind such as subject, mood, and length. It was also important that one of the poems begin with a question. After eight months of searching, I found Antonio Machado’s poems. The score calls for soprano and bassoon, two clarinets, harp, celesta, percussion, and strings. Poems and specific performers help the composer decide on the musical direction. Here, I chose to take a more traditional path, infused with my interpretation of Spanish music.