Download the One-Sheet Mandolin Concerto “From The Blue Ridge”
Composed in 2011 in a commission from Music Director David Stewart Wiley and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. First performance was opening night of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra's Fall 2011 season on October 3, 2011. Below are program notes for the concert.
Roanoke’s own composer and virtuoso Jeff Midkiff features traditional mountain music and a new concerto for mandolin and orchestra
Having grown up in Roanoke, moved away, and returned to Roanoke, I wanted the concerto to echo the emotions associated with home, and with going home.“My love for playing the mandolin, and a lifetime doing so, began to take on new meaning and motivation just a few years ago. After decades of also performing as a clarinetist, and countless orchestral concert situations, I felt a deep-seated desire to bring my favorite instrument in line with that experience. I truly enjoy the color, language and structure of the symphony orchestra, and my many years as a clarinetist made me very familiar with it. At the same time, I enjoyed a highly improvisational approach to the mandolin that was uniquely my own. I had struggled to keep the two — orchestra and mandolin — a ‘safe’ distance apart. But I knew I could say something with the mandolin on a symphonic scale. Deep down, I wanted to bring my most natural companion to the orchestra — two seemingly different worlds, together.
AUDIO CLIP: Mandolin Concerto “From the Blue Ridge,” first movement sample
“The first movement, begins with the mandolin on swirling sixteenth notes, setting the stage with excitement and anticipation, as does the entire movement. The commission for the piece came to me in November when the falling leaves drew this opening scene. Indeed, the Blue Ridge’s beauty and importance to me would form the piece. The middle of the first movement moves to major tonality with woodwinds in a waltz-like dance before a return to the opening theme.
AUDIO CLIP: Mandolin Concerto “From the Blue Ridge,” second movement sample
“The lyrical second movement, draws on more typical and familiar bluegrass melodies. Having grown up in Roanoke, moved away, and returned to Roanoke, I wanted the concerto to echo the emotions associated with home, and with going home. To get there, I looked no further than the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Roanoke Valley. ‘Wildwood Flower’ by The Carter Family and Bill Monroe’s ‘Roanoke’ are the thematic inspiration.
AUDIO CLIP: Mandolin Concerto “From the Blue Ridge,” third movement sample
“The third movement is an upbeat, exciting, spontaneous and dynamic affair. It draws strongly upon jazz and bluegrass themes in a series of ideas in a sort of ‘controlled jam session’ — one idea smoothly leading to another. Every section of the orchestra has a role to play with particularly expanded use of percussion setting up the different groves.
Also on the program:
AUDIO CLIP: A Visit From The Muse, sample
A Visit From The Muse is an arrangement of my original composition for mandolin and string orchestra.
AUDIO CLIP: Monroe’s Hornpipe, sample
Bill Monroe’s Monroe’s Hornpipe is my arrangement for mandolin and string orchestra.
“I have had a blast knowing that I’m writing music that will be performed by my friends and colleagues in the RSO. It is an honor and a privilege!”
—Jeff Midkiff
Rhapsody
Composed in 2007 in a commission from Concordia Univeristy Chicago Wind Symphony
Review of Rhapsody, Jeff's composition for mandolin and wind symphony
The silvery top range of the mandolin [is balanced] against the deep muted roar of the low brass.A striking new work, “Rhapsody,” by Jeff Midkiff, is scored for the unlikely — probably unique — combination of solo mandolin and symphonic wind ensemble. The melodic ideas are fresh and fluent. The harmonies are apt, varied and expressive. And the tonal colors of the 60-piece ensemble were exploited in a wide range of dynamics and voicings.
Crucial to any solo piece with large ensemble is balance. For an instrument as light in tone as the mandolin, balancing a full wind band is not easy. Midkiff’s piece accomplished the task with taste and flair, using the silvery top range of the mandolin against the deep muted roar of the low brass, as well as more percussive figurations against the mid-range and upper voices of the band. At no point was the solo instrument over-balanced except--obviously intentionally — when it was suddenly over-called by the full ensemble.
The ensemble playing, by the Concordia University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, was excellent throughout, showing conviction and skill, ably led by conductor Richard Fischer.
—Dr. John M. Ware is an organist, choir director and composer, and is a former music faculty member of Virginia Union University.
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