04) SINFONIETTA #4- mix 1 -8-23-2023

Violin Concerto #1

VIOLIN CONCERTO #1-2nd movement Adagio

03) VIOLIN CONCERTO #1-3rd movement

This work is dedicated to my clarinet teacher, Hank Freeman
A world-renowned alto sax, clarinet and flute player, he had played with the biggest swing bands in the world, including Glenn Miller in the European theater during WWII, as well as recording with the original Artie Shaw Band, Benny Goodman, Harry James and Bunny Berigan. He also played for Dinah Washington, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holliday.
I studied clarinet with Hank when I was 13-17 years old. Living on the same street, he down the block from me, I often would hear him practicing, or giving lessons to other students. It was particularly amusing to hear him lose it and yell at different students. He was very passionate about musicianship and expected that dedication from those he taught. As his ritual, sitting just right me, he would have me place my right foot on his left as he beat time, sometimes stopping me to demonstrate on his own clarinet the way he wanted me to play specific passages of music. I particularly remember one lesson and his withering attacks at me as I desperately tried to live up to his expectations. At the conclusion of the piece, I defensively blurted out, “That wasn’t one of my assignments!” Hank immediately responded, “You sight read that? Good for you, kid!” I cherish that moment to this very day.
Later on in life, while visiting my father in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, I visited Hank not too soon before he had succumb to illness. I showed him the score of my SYMPHONY #4-FUNK, which he was very excited by. He was a tough critic, and I knew if he liked it, I had a true appraisal of the work.  R.I.P., Hank. XOXOXOXO



02) CLARINET Concerto #1-2nd movement mix 3-5-23-2025

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