As a youngster growing up in the 1940s, I was not unaware of the enormous influence that the brass players of the great swing bands had on the young people of our country. Beginning with Louis Armstrong, whose contribution inspired generations of trumpeters, these artists extended the expressive capabilities of their instruments and can certainly be credited with developing a school of brass playing, the influence of which can still be felt in nearly every musical ensemble that employs brass.

In my teen years, my father agreed that if I continued with my piano studies, I could have a trombone; and he arranged for me to take lessons. I also taught myself to play a little on the trumpet, but I was never very comfortable switching mouthpiece sizes, so my brass playing was largely restricted to the trombone.

Given this background and after writing so much brass music for films and for ceremonial pieces, you can imagine my pleasure when the Cleveland Orchestra asked me to write a concerto for their newly appointed principal trumpeter, Michael Sachs. Not only did this commission offer me an opportunity to compose a work for an instrument that I truly love, but it promised the privilege of having the piece performed by one of the world's greatest orchestras and featuring one of the world's most elegant trumpeters.

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Duration: 20 minutes
Premiere Date: 1996