Martin Rokeach, Composer
Rokeach revels in the particular sonorities of the piccolo — particularly its sweet-toned, rather vulnerable low register, which is worlds away from the piercing shrillness with which it usually blasts its way through an orchestral texture. And he lavishes the solo part with care and solicitude. San Francisco Chronicle (To read the complete review click here.)
The Oakland Symphony gave the first performance of this vivacious new work for one of the orchestra’s most underappreciated instruments. Mercury News (To read the complete review click here)
Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra
Martin Rokeach with Music Director Michael Morgan and concerto soloist Amy Likar
All in all, Rokeach created a highly appealing, imaginative work
that other orchestras should assay. ArtsSF (To read the entire
review click here)
The Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra was premiered in 2016 by the Oakland Symphony, with Michael Morgan conducting and Amy Likar the featured soloist. To watch a 3-minute trailer with excerpts and interviews of the composer, conductor and soloist click here. The recording cannot be posted on social media, anyone interested in listening can contact the composer directly via this website. To see Ms. Likar perform the concerto's 1st movement with pianist Miles Graber click here, the 2nd and 3rd movements click here (published by ALRY).