Commissioned by the State University of New York at Fredonia Sewanee Summer Music Festival, John Kilkenny, Director
Dedicated by Christian Granger '66, in gratitude to the State University of New York at Fredonia School of Music, and the Class of 1966.
Dedicated to Eliran Avni and Natasha Farny

ORCHESTRATION: solo cello, solo piano
2+alto+pic.2.2+bcl.2 / 2.2.0.btbn.1 / timp.2perc / strings
DURATION: 27 minutes
CATEGORY: Soloist(s) and Orchestra
PUBLISHER: Lyric Row Press (ASCAP)

Avner Dorman's Concerto for Cello, Piano, and Orchestra (2022) explores the dynamic interplay between two inherently different instruments. Dorman reflects, “The cello and the piano are very different instruments – their sound production, strengths and weaknesses, size and type of expression at which they excel. I imagine the cello and the piano as two different people… wanting to be close and not quite knowing how. The piece is a journey from a feeling of loneliness and disconnect in the first movement, through dance in the second, each expressing their own emotions in the third, and finally finding a way to connect yet retain their own identities in the fourth.”

The concerto unfolds in four movements:

1. Andante con tenerrezza: The opening movement, marked by tender and gentle arpeggios in the piano’s higher range, is complemented by velvety harmonies in the strings. The cello’s entry, sad and contemplative, sets the tone for an expressive dialogue. Structured as a large ABA form, this movement highlights the instruments together, yet a palpable emotional gap separates them.

2. Allegro: The second movement is a lively dance, characterized by rapid alternating meters. It brings joy and life to the cello and piano, although they still struggle to fully connect. Optimism pervades the movement, but ultimately falls apart in the coda, symbolizing the difficulty of changing oneself to fit within a relationship.

3. Adagio espressivo - a piacere: This expressive and elegiac movement is structured as a theme and variations based on the cello’s opening theme. It delves deeper into the emotions of the two instruments, perhaps signaling a stronger desire to connect or the readiness to give up.

4. Allegro con fuoco: The final movement is an exuberant tour de force, predominantly in 5/16 and rich with polyrhythms. Here, the cello and piano finally find a way to connect as their true selves, celebrating their individuality while achieving a harmonious union.

Dorman's concerto is a profound exploration of the delicate balance between individuality and connection, brought to life through the unique voices of the cello and piano.