Description

Wallingford Riegger (1885-1961) was an American cellist and composer, who is noted as being one of the principle proponents of Serialism and the twelve-tone technique in America. His Concerto (Op. 53) wascommissioned in 1953 by the Koussevitzky Music Foundation, and first performed at the Library of Congress. It is scored for Piano and Wind Quintet – Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, and Bassoon – and is comprised of three movements:Allegro – Andante – Allegro Molto.

Receiving critical acclaim as soon as it was released, the Concerto cleverly blends atonal and diatonic elements, creating an animated, condensed modern work,thathas unfairly fallen out of the repertoire.