Red Cedar Chamber Music Commissions

Commissioning and premiering new music is at the heart of Red Cedar Chamber Music's programming. The American Composer's Forum writes, "New music thrives when it takes root in an audience of passionate listeners" We believe that is true. The response from composers, who actively participate in the premieres, tells us that they value Red Cedar's multiple performances of a new work (no fewer than 15), and the musicians' interactive approach with audiences. Our format for premieres is unique: Red Cedar Chamber Music "test drives" the new work --offering a peek behind the scenes into musicians' preparation, composer's insights, and a "road map" to guide first-time listener-- and then perform the work uninterrupted. Our commissioned works are scored for flute and guitar, and most often with a third instrument (most commonly, cello or viola) or sometimes with additional strings. Audience response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Jerry M. Owen, Composer in Residence 2002-2005
Andrew Earle Simpson, Composer-in-Residence 2005-2008
Harvey Sollberger, Composer-in-Residence 2008-2011
Michael Gilbertson, Composer-in-Residence 2011-2014

2013–2014
Gilbertson, Michael. ________________ (for flute, guitar and cello). To be premiered April, 2014.

2012–2013
Gilbertson, Michael. Long Journey Home (for flute, guitar and cello). Premiered October, 2012. See and hear video of the premiere.

2011–2012
Gilbertson, Michael. Circle the Wagons(for flute, guitar and cello). Premiered October, 2011.

2010–2011
Sollberger, Harvey. Perhaps Gilead (for flute, guitar and string quartet). Premiered May, 2011. Recorded to compact disc recording titled Spillville and Gilead and released by Fleur de Son Classics in October, 2012. Read about the project.

2009–2010
Simpson, Andrew Earle. new variation for Spillville Variations on a Theme by Dvorak (for flute, viola, and guitar). Premiered September, 2009.

Reznicow, Joshua. new variation for Spillville Variations on a Theme by Dvorak (for flute, viola, and guitar). Premiered September, 2009.

2007–2008
Iznaola, Ricardo. Danzas de la Abuela (for flute, cello, and guitar). Premiered February 23, 2008.

Simpson, Andrew Earle. Fireflies: A Folk Set for Flute & Guitar. Premiered June, 2008. Recorded by Jan Boland and John Dowdall on a compact disc recording titled Firefles released by Fleur de Son Classics.

2005–2006
Bloesch, Peter. Christmas Suite (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in December, 2005.
[listen]

Sollberger, Harvey. Spillville (for flute viola and guitar). Premiered June 8, 2006. Read about the project.
[listen]

2004–2005
Group Commissioning Project. Spillville Variations on a Theme by Dvorak (for flute viola and guitar). Premiered in October, 2004. Lead composer: Jerry Owen. Fifteen composers each contributed a variation. Commissioned for a cultural exchange with musicians from Prague. Read about the project.

Owen, Jerry. Swing Fugue and Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Charles Mingus (for flute, double bass and guitar). Premiered in March, 2005.

Simpson, Andrew American Gothic Suite (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in June, 2005.
Commissioned to celebrate the restoration of the Grant Wood Studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Grant Wood painted American Gothic in 1930. Recorded by Jan Boland, John Dowdall and David Miller on a compact disc recording titled Fireflies released by Fleur de Son Classics. Read about the project.

2003–2004
Owen, Jerry. Gypsy Variations (for flute viola and guitar). Premiered in October, 2003.

Simpson, Andrew Tessera: Six Mosaics of Ancient Rome (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in April, 2004.
[listen]

2002–2003
Owen, Jerry. Trio Concertant over Czech Folk Songs (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in October, 2002.

2001–2002
Dick, Robert. The Pounce of Now (for flute and guitar). Premiered in June, 2002.

2000–2001
Seven works were commissioned in 1999 to celebrate the new millennium. Each was inspired by a work of visual art from the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. Premiered in February, 2000.
* David Leisner El Coco (The Bogeyman), 1999 fl/g
Inspired by Francisco Goya's Que viene el Coco (from Los Caprichos).
* Jerry Owen Hidden Tango , 1999 fl/g
Inspired by Mauricio Lasansky's Spring.
* Gary Schocker Caution to the Wind (get over it), 1999 fl/g
Inspired by Malvina Hoffman's Bacchanale Frieze.
* John Thow River Bend, 1999 alto fl/g
Inspired by Marvin Cone's River Bend.
* Robert Lindsey Nassif Dear Departed, 1999 fl/g
Inspired by Marvin Cone's Dear Departed.
* Jonathan Chenette Fast Track, 1999 fl/g
Inspired by Sam Gilliam's Fast Track.
* Katherine Hoover Caprice, 1999 fl/g
Inspired by James Michael Smith's Red Event.
The works are published by Theodore Presser and recorded by Jan Boland and John Dowdall on a compact disc recording titled The Red Cedar Collection released by Fleur de Son Classics. Read about the project and view the art.

1998 - 1999
Owen, Jerry M. Duo Concertant for flute, guitar, and small orchestra. Premiered in Marshall, Texas, October 17, 1998.

1997-1998
Chamberlain, Don Janojam (for flute and guitar). Premiered February 6, 1998.

David Meindl Dance for Czech Village (for flute and guitar). Premiered November 9, 1997.

1994
Owen, Jerry M. Mesquanowat (for flute and guitar)
Commissioned to celebrate Iowa's sesquicentennial.

1980
Owen, Jerry M. Intimate Dances (for flute and guitar).

Bern, Julian Prelude, Capricio and Sarabande (for flute and guitar).

Rogers, Rodney They Dance by the Light of the Moon (for flute and guitar).

“The American Gothic Suite was a really remarkable idea, and the entire project came off brilliantly! I am certainly proud to be associated with Red Cedar. Thank you and BRAVO for an outstanding and brilliant weekend of performances! It is always a thrill to hear one's work performed, but it is especially wonderful to know that it is in exceptionally caring and competent hands. Wow…”
Andrew Simpson, Red Cedar Chamber Music Composer-in-Residence 2005

2012: "Red Cedar's Long Journey Home' concert is beautifully performed. I could not help but feel a burst of pride when I read down the program listing of this exciting concert. All of it, except for the Dvorak, is a result of the composer-in-residence idea that we hatched a decade ago or more. And it's all American, except again for the Dvorak. We should be immensely proud of the Iowa connections, or better, the Iowa sources displayed in this program. Congratulations on a superb program. I find it amazing that you continue to generate an eager following among your fans!"
Jerry M. Owen, Red Cedar Chamber Music Composer-in-Residence 2002-2005