| Commissioned Works | Music for Flute & Guitar | Music for Flute Guitar & Viola | Music for Flute Guitar & Cello

Commissions

The Boland-Dowdall Duo has commissioned and premiered 57 new works involving the flute and guitar since 1980 – most frequently as the core ensemble of Red Cedar Chamber Music. The American Composer’s Forum writes, “New music thrives when it takes root in an audience of listeners.” We believe that is true. The response from composers tells us that they value our model of multiple performances of a new work (no fewer than 15), and the musicians’ interactive approach with audiences. 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.  Commissions by:

2015–2016
Cohn, Stephen. Curfew Must Not Ring Tonight (flute, violin, guitar and cello). Premiere in April, 2016. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

Wharton, Philip. The Tiger and the Tub (for flute, violin and cello). Premiere in April, 2016. Hear the premiere on YouTube. Pub: Philip Wharton.

Kimber, Michael. There’s Another Picture in My Mama’s Frame (for alto flute, guitar and cello). Premiere in April, 2016. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

Kimber, Michael. Could You Love a Little Girl Like Me? (for flute, violin, cello and guitar). Premiere April, 2016. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

2014–2015
Sollberger, Harvey. Silent Film Suite (for flute, guitar and cello). Premiered in April 25, 2015. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

Bozenhard, David. WhirlPoolside (for flute, cello, classical guitar and electric guitar). Premiered October 4, 2014. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

2013–2014
Gilbertson, Michael. Three Rivers (for flute, guitar and cello). Premiered June 1, 2014. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

2012–2013
Gilbertson, Michael. Long Journey Home (for flute, guitar and cello). Premiered October, 2012. Hear the premiere on YouTube.

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

2010–2011
Sollberger, Harvey. Perhaps Gilead (for flute, guitar and string quartet). Premiered May, 2011. Recorded to compact disc recording titled Spillville & Gilead. Read about the project. Pub: American Composers Alliance. Hear on YouTube.

Owen, Jerry. Red Cedar Tango (for flute, guitar, violin and cello). Transcription of Owen’s String Quartet #3 Tango, 1994.

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

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

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

Iznaola, Ricardo. Musique de Salon Suite No. 9 (for flute, viola, cello, and guitar). Premiered February 23, 2008. [A new setting of a previous work.]

Simpson, Andrew Earle. Fireflies: A Folk Set for Flute & Guitar. Premiered June, 2008. Read the composer’s synopsis. Recorded by Jan Boland and John Dowdall on compact disc commercial recording titled Fireflies.

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. Recorded by Jan Boland, John Dowdall and Anthony Devroye on a compact disc recording titled Spillville & Gilead [listen] Pub: American Composer’s Alliance. Hear on YouTube.

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. Recorded by Jan Boland, John Dowdall and David Miller on a compact disc recording titled Czech Inspired released by Fleur de Son Classics. Pub: ALRY Publications. Review: “A group-commissioning project almost dazzling in its simplicity. From beginning to end, this collection teases the ear but delivers the kind of musical pay-off that all light music should strive for.” Ken Smith, Gramophone, 2006.

Jerry Owen, lead composer
Peter Bloesch
Jan Boland
Jonathan Chenette
Don Chamberlain
Michael Daugherty
Lyle Dockendorff
Michael Gilbertson
Luke Gullickson
Peter Hamlin
Dan Knight
Ivo Medek (The Czech Republic)
Robert Lindsey Nassif
Tracey Rush
Pat Smith
Harvey Sollberger

Owen, Jerry. Swing Fugue and Fantasy Variations on a Jazz Tune (for flute, double bass and guitar). Premiered in March, 2005. Pub: Indian Hill Road Music.

Kimber, Michael. American Gothic Sketch (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in May, 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. Read about the project. Recorded by Jan Boland, John Dowdall and David Miller on the compact disc recording Fireflies.

2003–2004
Owen, Jerry. Gypsy Variations (for flute viola and guitar). Premiered in October, 2003. Pub: Indian Hill Road Music.

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

2002–2003
Owen, Jerry. Trio Concertant over Czech Folk Songs (for flute, viola and guitar). Premiered in October, 2002. Pub: Indian Hill Road Music. Recorded to compact disc titled Czech-Inspired 21s Century Chamber Trios released by Fleur de Son Classics.

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

Dockendorff, Lyle. Captain Bartlett Blues (for flute and guitar). Premiered in June, 2002. Recorded by Jan Boland and John Dowdall on a compact disc recording titled The Red Cedar Collection released by Fleur de Son Classics.

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. Pub: Indian Hill Road Music.

Dockendorff, Lyle. Red Cedar Swing. (May, 1999)

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).

Composer Comments
On hearing Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight: “Wow!! It’s so moving!! I was literally moved to tears. I had no idea that it would be so powerful and moving in performance. The story took on a a whole dimension with this reading [of the poetry] …but mostly because of such passionate playing by the ensemble – really gorgeous, expressive playing, full of heart and energy! The music and poetry really feel organically connected.” Stephen Cohn, 2016

“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

2015: “Thank you for all of the wonderful collaborative opportunities you’ve allowed me to be a part of over the years! You guys are The Best and Iowa’s Crowning Musical Jewel. As a composer I’ve never had as rich and extensive a portrait concert as the one coming-up (National Flute Association Convention, 2015), and having Michael Zahs and you there to present the films and the music will put the maraschino cherry, so to speak, right on top of the sundae.” Harvey Sollberger, Red Cedar Chamber Music Composer-in-Residence 2008-2011