Paul Lewis

Concertino for Oboe & Strings

Orchestration: Solo Oboe & Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)
In 1966 I wrote a flute, oboe and harp score for a charming children's TV series called I Am David. The eminent oboist Derek Wickens played on the recording sessions and I so enjoyed his beautiful playing and his amiable personality that I wrote this Concertino for him the following year. Having said he'd play it, (sight unseen,) he moved abroad before I could finish it, whereupon we lost touch. The work then sat for fifty-three years, unfinished but never forgotten, in what I call my "composer's bottom drawer", until in 2020 I heard oboist Owen Dennis performing with the Corelli Ensemble and decided to present the Concertino to them. I'm happy to say they immediately programmed the premiere for October 23rd, 2022.
Concertino for Oboe and Strings has four movements:
1. Allegretto A good-natured and optimistic theme is contrasted with calm, reflective interludes.
2. Moderato Predominantly slow and romantic with a middle section over a "walking bass".
3. Scherzetto Energetic and rhythmic.
4. Interrupted Aria A slow, lyrical melody, somewhat operatic in nature, is twice interrupted by an urgent, syncopated motif.
Though not intended to be in any way programmatic, the concertino is indelibly associated in my mind with with my early years in Hastings Old Town, whereto I had recently moved when I wrote it, and walks with my dog over the East Hill to Ecclesbourne Glen. Paul Lewis

A PACK includes a full score plus a solo oboe part plus strings 4/4/3/4/2.
Duration 11 minutes