"Trumpet Concerto" was written in the latter part of 2021. The recording is extracted from Sibelius.

Trumpet Concerto

"Toccata" is a virtuoso, perpetual-motion piece for guitar, written in November 2013.

Toccata

Written in March and April of 2023, this piece for piano trio (violin, cello, piano) attempts to illustrate the heavy "atmospheric river" rainstorms that hit California in the winter of 2023. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Atmospheric River

"Daytime Suite" for orchestra was written in April-June 2023. "Dawn" depicts the rising sun with climbing note patterns, whereas "Dusk" portrays the setting sun with descending notes.

V. Daytime Suite - Dusk

I. Daytime Suite - Dawn

"Pick a Low Note" for piccolo and piano was written in July 2023. The piece ends with both instruments on their lowest note (surprise, surprise). The recording is extracted from Sibelius.

Pick A Low Note

Written in July-November, 2023, this piece for clarinet and string quartet uses all possible instrumental combinations as well as the full quintet – quartets, trios, duos and solos. The recording is extracted from Sibelius.

Clarinet Quintet

Lament for solo flute was written in 1978.  It was first performed by Dorothy Stone at a Southwest Chamber Music concert on February 1, 2003.  This recording is from a California Concert Artists concert on January 22, 2005 in Mission Vejo, California.  The performer is Mary Palchak.

Lament

"Impromptu" for harpsichord was written in September 2024. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Impromptu

Twelve Pretudes for Piano - III ( 2010).

Pretude III is based exclusively on the major/minor triad (037).


Twelve Pretudes - III

My three-movement Cello Concerto was written in September-December 2024. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Cello Concerto - Mvmt III

Cello Concerto - Mvmt II

Cello Concerto - Mvmt I

"Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano" was written in January-March 2025. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Piano Trio

Written in March 2025, "Vibrant" is a three-minute piece for solo vibraphone. It explores all of the distinct three-note chords, arranged to use all twelve pitches. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Vibrant

Flute Concerto was written in April-June 2025. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Flute Concerto

Duo for Bassoon and Piano was written in 2025. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Duo, Bassoon and Piano

Horn Concerto was written in Sept.-Dec. 2025. It lasts about 11'45". The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Horn Concerto

"Ding Donk" is for xylophone and glockenspiel (one player). It was written from December 28, 2025 to January 6, 2026. The recording is extracted from the Sibelius music notation software.

Ding Donk

Piano Concerto was written in 2016-2017.  The recording is extracted from Sibelius.

Piano Concerto

"Piano Episodes" was written in 1971.  It received second prize in class II of the 1973 National Federation of Music Clubs Young Composers Contest.  The first performance was given by Emma Lou Diemer on November 28, 1972 at the University of California Santa Barbara.  The recording posted here is extracted from Sibelius.

Piano Episodes

Richard Derby has a Ph.D. in music composition from the University of California Santa Barbara.  In 1977-78 he held a Fulbright Fellowship to study composition with Justin Connolly at the Royal College of Music, London.  In 1982 his article "Elliott Carter's 'Duo for Violin and Piano' " was published in Perspectives of New Music.  A CD of his chamber music is available from Grammy Award-winning Southwest Chamber Music (swmusic.org).  His website is at richardderbycomposer.com.

richardderby

Popular tracks