Zodiac

Zodiac is a concerto for Solo Horn and Euphonium.  Each of the three movments is based upon some element of Greek Mythology.

1. Gemini
2. Capricorn
3. Aries

This work is available in four formats

• Soloists and piano
• Soloists and Orchestra (coming soon)
• Soloists and Concert Band (this version)
• Soloists and Brass Band

The composer wrote these notes for the first movement, which is demonstrated in the scoreflipper file.

"In the summer of 2006 I began a series of concertos based on Greek Mythology.  The first was titled "Chimera, Concerto for Brass Quintet and Orchestra." The Center City Brass Quintet commissioned this work and premiered it in Tokyo with Conductor Naoto Otomo and the Tokyo Symphony. In 2008, I was commissioned by brass soloists Adam Frey and Jeff Nelsen to create a new work. Wanting to continue with this series of concertos, it seemed appropriate to write a piece that would challenge the soloists' virtuosic abilities as well as be adventurous in story and sound.

At first it wasn’t clear which story from mythology I would use. After the bulk of the piece was sketched out, it struck me the a concerto for two soloists should naturally use the story of the Gemini twins. The Gemini twins in Greek Mythology were brothers named Pollux and Castor, the sons of Zeus. They were celebrated as protectors of human kind and had adventures such as the Argonauts Quest for the Golden Fleece and fighting off eerie lightning known as Saint Elmo’s Fire.

Being comfortable with cinematic orchestration, I concentrated on the heroic melodies before completing the rest of the piece. It was important to keep the music challenging in technique as well as rewarding in the soaring melodies given to both players. You'll likely hear orchestration tributes to Prokofiev, Holst, John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith within. I try to channel the energy and color they’ve illustrated and use it as inspiration to compose my music. The end result was a unique showpiece.

Instrumentation: 

• Solo Horn in F (E♭ part provided
• Solo Euphomium (B♭ part provided)
• Flute 1-3 (1 and 3 double piccolo)
• Oboe 1-2
• English Horn
• Clarinet 1-3 in B♭
• Bass Clarinet 1-2 (2nd is optional) in B♭
• Bassoon 1-2
• Contrabassoon
• Alto Saxophone 1-2
• Tenor Saxophone 1-2
• Baritone Saxophone
• Trumpet 1-3 in C (B♭ provided
• Horns 1-4
• Trombones 1-3 (3rd is optional)
• Bass Trombone
• Euphonium 1-2
• Tuba 1-2
• String Bass
• Piano
• Timpani
• Bass in E♭
• Bass in B♭
• Mallets 1-2
• Percussion 1-3