It’s quite a few years since I wrote my 5 Buckingham Concertos (was planning 6 of course! but so far have only managed the first 40 or so bars - it’s for violin and cello so will finish it someday when I have the time).
The idea of young players performing concertos is unquestionably very attractive - a real experience for more advanced school instrumentalists. There are of course a number of appropriate works available, but often the problems begin to emerge in the orchestral parts. So I decided to produce a series of accessible concertos for two or more soloists (of about Grade 8 standard) and school orchestra. To make them as useful as possible I have employed an orchestra of strings (around the Grade 6/7 standard although the writing is always very straightforward) with additional instruments to provide colour as necessary. Having taken the lead from Vivaldi, I decided to write the first Buckingham Concerto for two oboes and two clarinets with strings and harpsichord (where the ‘Clavinova’ or other electronic harpsichord - an ‘asset’ most schools seem to possess these days - really comes into its own!)
They can all be heard below!
Buckingham Concerto No. 1 Two Oboes and Two Clarinets + Strings and Harpsichord
Buckingham Concerto No. 2 Two Trumpets + Strings and Side Drum
Buckingham Concerto No. 3 Flute and Clarinet + Strings, Cymbal and Side Drum
Buckingham Concerto No. 4 Two Flutes + Strings
Buckingham Concerto No. 5 Piano Duo (4-hands) + Strings, Vibraphone, Timpani, Side Drum and Cymbal
Although these concertos have been written with young players in mind, after a very well-received performance of Buckingham Concerto No. 1 at the Oxford Festival a few years ago. I was delighted to find that professional players and ensembles also find them equally rewarding. Here’s a splendid performance of No. 5 from a Malcolm Arnold Festival a few years ago.
All are available to buy from Faber Music