Laughlin Park Suite, for horn and piano
by John Dickson
$21
Composer’s Program Notes for Laughlin Park Suite:
Laughlin Park Suite was initially conceived as a two-movement work to be premiered by Prof. Charles Gavin in 2012 at the 44th International Horn Symposium in Denton, TX. Charles asked for something contemporary, but harmonically more accessible than a lot of “modern” brass repertoire: maybe something a bit jazzy. But as I began writing the Lacrima (Tear), I felt that it was an ideal second movement of an eventual three movement work. So, after the Denton performance, I went back to the drawing board and found a unifying style and theme for the whole piece. The now completed three movement work was premiered by Daniel Hawkins (horn) and John Dickson (piano) at Rice University in 2016.
"Laughlin Park" refers to an old, ritzy section of east Hollywood where many of the movie greats of the 1920s lived: Cecil B DeMille, W.C. Fields and the like. My friend and inspiration, jazz giant the late Chick Corea also lived there for many years, including the years he and I were working together. I have channeled some of his chordal and stylistic vocabulary for this piece. The first movement, Valse De Armando is named for him, Armando "Chick" Corea, and has a bit of Spanish flair. In Lacrima, I wanted to showcase the marvelous singing qualities of the horn while giving it a slightly improvised feel. The Toccata gives both the horn and the piano room to groove and show off a little bit.
As a pianist as well as a horn player, I wanted to make sure that the accompanist has some
fun as well!
Program Notes above written by the composer who hereby grants permission to reproduce
these Program Notes (in whole, or in part) for use in conjunction with live or recorded
performances or reviews of Laughlin Park Suite.
Laughlin Park Suite was initially conceived as a two-movement work to be premiered by Prof. Charles Gavin in 2012 at the 44th International Horn Symposium in Denton, TX. Charles asked for something contemporary, but harmonically more accessible than a lot of “modern” brass repertoire: maybe something a bit jazzy. But as I began writing the Lacrima (Tear), I felt that it was an ideal second movement of an eventual three movement work. So, after the Denton performance, I went back to the drawing board and found a unifying style and theme for the whole piece. The now completed three movement work was premiered by Daniel Hawkins (horn) and John Dickson (piano) at Rice University in 2016.
"Laughlin Park" refers to an old, ritzy section of east Hollywood where many of the movie greats of the 1920s lived: Cecil B DeMille, W.C. Fields and the like. My friend and inspiration, jazz giant the late Chick Corea also lived there for many years, including the years he and I were working together. I have channeled some of his chordal and stylistic vocabulary for this piece. The first movement, Valse De Armando is named for him, Armando "Chick" Corea, and has a bit of Spanish flair. In Lacrima, I wanted to showcase the marvelous singing qualities of the horn while giving it a slightly improvised feel. The Toccata gives both the horn and the piano room to groove and show off a little bit.
As a pianist as well as a horn player, I wanted to make sure that the accompanist has some
fun as well!
Program Notes above written by the composer who hereby grants permission to reproduce
these Program Notes (in whole, or in part) for use in conjunction with live or recorded
performances or reviews of Laughlin Park Suite.