Commissioned by Timothy McAllister 1996

I. Erratic Behavior, II. …into still waters, III. Urban Dream (Performance Time ca. 19')

Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Bb Clarinet, Bassoon

Horn (in F), Trumpet (in C), Trombone

2 Percussion

Piano

Solo Alto Saxophone

Strings: 2 Violins, 1 Viola, 1Violoncello, 1 Double Bass

Score (PDF) - contact for parts

I. In a Slight Funk (3’20”)

II. Singing to Myself (3’40”)

III. Throwing Stones (4’10”)

for the Ryoanji Duo

PDF Score (contact for parts)

Approximate performance timing: a little over 10 minutes

The title, Rock Garden, refers both to the odd and rather unique shapes each of the movements takes, while still maintaining an air of formal familiarity – much like any good addition to a rock garden; and the grounding of its musical materials in rock music. However, only the basic building blocks have any real relationship to rock – the music takes on an often surprising life of it’s own.

Note to guitarist: All harmonics are notated as fingered. The composer recommends a small amount of amplification for the guitar in order to compensate for inherent balance issues. However, this is left completely to the ensemble’s judgment and discretion.