Program Note:   

In three movements, the first is in a traditional sonata allegro form with the first theme a jazzy, scampering riff in 7/8 time and second a poetic one created, as the composer writes, "as a little homage to the Bernstein Clarinet Sonata, which I was then accompanying for the first time." The second movement, marked lento moderato, is an arch form, with a broadly expressive introduction and coda framing a strophic melody in the flute supported by a pulsing, neo-baroque keyboard part. The final movement, a rondo, is marked presto / adagio and alternates a skittering, virtuosic first theme with a lyrical theme — marked 'con gran espressione'. Composed in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City during the winter of 1985 (and completed on 19 December 1985) while the composer was still a student at Juilliard, it remains one of his most popular chamber works. It is dedicated to composer / flautist Su Lian Tan and composer / pianist Elena Ruehr. It was premiered by Dr. Tan, accompanied by Dr. Ruehr, at the Paul Recital Hall of Lincoln Center in New York City on 11 March 1986.