Jaunty, jagged, energetic, percussive, quirky cello music

Here is the first movement of my cello sonata “El Café Iridiscente” which is entitled “rojo”. This piece was co-commissioned by the National Music Teachers Association and the Nebraska Music Teachers Association.

I was taking some of the Latin rhythms that I heard growing up in Tampa and filtering them through some 20th century harmony. I think I was trying to write the kind of music Milhaud might write if he were still around. It’s the sort of music I imagine in a 21st century café.

Justin Lepard is playing with me in this video at our Feb. 3 concert at St. Mark’s on the Campus.