Piccolo Concerto

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This article is about the concerto by Amanda Harberg. For other concertos, see Piccolo § Repertoire.

The Piccolo Concerto by Amanda Harberg is a concerto for piccolo in three movements.[1] It was first performed under conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin as part of the New York Philharmonic's Digital Stage series at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The concerto was commissioned by New York Philharmonic piccoloist Erica Peel, and has been described as one of the most important works for the instrument.[3][4] The Chicago Symphony subsequently described Harberg as "something of a hero to the flute and piccolo community along the way."[5][6]

The concerto has received worldwide recognition from the likes of John Corigliano and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who said Harberg "shrugs off the mundane and explores the unexpected."[7] The concerto has also been performed by international orchestras including the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Interlochen Center for the Arts and Berklee College of Music, where Harberg works.[8] The sonata is noted for its jazz influence and textural cohesion. Elizabeth McCormack won the New England Conservatory concerto competition with the concerto.[9]

Composition

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Structure

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Harberg wrote the Concerto for Piccolo in 2022 at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, where she worked at the time. Originally conceived as the Sonata for piccolo and piano,[1] the piece was subsequently expanded and orchestrated. The sonata received the premiere at the National Flute Association with Regina Yost on piccolo. It is in three movements, marked thus:

  1. Allegro
  2. Moderato, dreamy
  3. Vivace[2]

A performance takes approximately 15 minutes.

Instrumentation

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The concerto is scored for a solo piccolo and orchestra comprising harp, timpani, percussion (two players), strings (violins I & II, violas, violoncellos, and double basses).[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Harberg's Piccolo Concerto". April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra". April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  3. ^ "Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra". April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  4. ^ "Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra by Amanda Harberg". April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  5. ^ "Amanda Harberg on 'Hall of Ghosts' | Chicago Symphony Orchestra". Experience the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  6. ^ Caruso, Michael (2022-01-20). "Noteworthy's Q & A with Amanda Harberg". The Chestnut Hill Local. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  7. ^ "Amanda Harberg at Berklee". April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  8. ^ "Amanda Harberg on 'Hall of Ghosts' | Chicago Symphony Orchestra". Hall of Ghosts at CSO. April 19, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2025.
  9. ^ "Piccolo Concerto by Amanda Harberg". www.operabase.com. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
  10. ^ jennymaclay (2021-10-26). "ICA Composer of the Month October: Amanda Harberg". International Clarinet Association. Retrieved 2025-10-19.
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