Rhapsody, CONCERTO for Orchestra

Composed:  2009 (revised 2021)
Commission:  Detroit Symphony Orchestra in honor of Elaine Lebenbom
Premiere:  Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Slatkin, conductor, January 9, 2009
Duration:  14 minutes
Instrumentation:  3 (3rd dbl. picc), 2, EH, 3 (3rd dbl. bscl), 2, Cbsn; 432 BsTbn, 1; Timp. 3 Perc. Harp, Strings

PROGRAM NOTES

I.   Regrets (2021)
II.   Airs and Rhapsodies
III.  Dance

Rhapsody for Orchestra is a Concerto for Orchestra, featuring principal players, sections, and virtuosic sections for the entire orchestra.  I love the orchestra - its beauty, power and excitement. I take so much pleasure in the endless variety of beautiful sounds and colors it can produce.  In this work, I immersed myself in these sounds and hope a listener will do the same. Additionally, I am so awed by the virtuosity of orchestral musicians that I gave them a chance to show off. The work goes through a range of emotions from sad to romantic to light-hearted and in the last movement even sometimes a bit wacky. 

Originally commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in honor of Elaine Lebenbom, the second and third movements remain almost the same as the Rhapsody for Orchestra that was premiered by Leonard Slatkin and the Detroit Symphony.  However, the first movement is completely new.  I was not happy with the first movement, and so composed a completely new movement to begin this work.

REVIEWS

“this work is a tour de force for any good orchestra, and the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra are really on their toes here under Marin Alsop’s inspired direction. The finale, ‘Dance’, particularly stands out for its rhythmic élan, vitality and virtuosity.” - Göran Forsling, Music Web International

"Rhapsody proved to be a compact, cleverly scored concerto for orchestra…latent with romanticism but rippled." - Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press

“This is a very beautiful, colorful work that describes different moods, from sad to romantic to light-hearted. In the last movement, the music is downright exuberant and correspondingly virtuosic.” – ♪♪♪♪♪ - Remy Franck, pizzicato

“The language is undoubtedly modern and crosses a wide variety of styles from early 20th century impressionism to more challenging contemporary, traversing elements that remind me at times of John Adams amongst others. The orchestral richness is assured and compelling, the ‘Rhapsody, Concerto for Orchestra’ as one example focuses on exploring a wide variety of textures.” - Ian Orbell, Classical Music Sentinel

“Brouwer’s orchestral creations tend to be like jigsaw puzzles of harmony and color with ear-catching filigree sprinkled throughout. These qualities come through brilliantly in Rhapsody, Concerto for Orchestra, written to feature the principal players as well as the sectional and ensemble virtuosity of the Detroit Symphony. “Regrets” begins slowly with transparent musical gestures passed seamlessly from section to section. “Airs and Rhapsodies” opens with an attractive melodic line in the strings. A beautifully played English horn solo leads to orchestral cloudbursts. Catchy rhythms in the percussion introduce the concluding “Dance.” Long, fast tutti scalar passages are played with clarity and flair as short rhythmic motives are passed around the orchestra. Each section has its moment in the spotlight.” - Daniel Hathaway, ClevelandClassical