The Autumn Concerto reflects the changing seasons and colours, yet also resignation and a touch of melancholy. It is my musical diary for autumn 1996. In structure it is almost classical - quick-slow-quick - and each player carries an important solo message.

I Labyrinth

Labyrinth begins with harsh fifths chords. The rythms and the almost incessant pulse of eternal searching. There is only oone way out of the labyrinth. The listener is often led astray, but the search continues. The solo flutters at the tranquil points sing determined optimism, but new walls keep appearing. Clambering to the heights opens up wider vistas and provides a clue to the way out. I can see the direction, that way. An illusion. In between a little rest and a sad bassoon song. The first viollin plays a stubborn theme. The search is more heated than ever. The frenzied passage raises the pulse. I run, I can see the way out already. At last. The opening fifths chords sound triumphantly at the end.

II September

Summer is over. The clarinet sings a melancholy autumn song in the silence; the leaves are falling. Life is a mystery. The sentimento of the first-violin motif is undesguised. Next comes a more grotesque and somewhat wry waltz. An autumn walk in the forest reveals strange shadows, almost earth sprites. the colourful splendour of the trees suggests wild images. The winds are angry. Gusts hinting at a pending storm enter the music and the motifs become shifty. The torm does not break, however. I return to the crisp, clear sentimento and the wry waltz. Autumn is beautiful. 

III Octoblue

The last movement begins playfully. Its scherzando theme is played four times in all with variations. The first part of the finale is, with its numerous syncopations, clearly akin to rhythm music. Wild clusters and a shout from the French horn put an end to the raging. Dusk falls fast. A blue moment, a blue note. Octoblue has its proto-form in 12-bar blues. A blues song is forever sad. Sometimes I am sad, just as you are. But today I'm happy again. My musical diary for orchestra is nearly finished. Autumn Concerto fades on violin flageolet notes; somewhere snow is already softly falling.