[1][2] Chiavi in Mano has a duration of roughly 20 minutes and is composed in a single continuous movement.
While much of the composing took place far from home, the concerto comes out as a particularly "American" piece, shot through with vernacular elements.
A shape, a melodic fragment, a rhythm, a chord, a texture, or a sonority may ignite the appetite for exploration.
How such simple insignificant things can be altered, elaborated, extended, and combined becomes the exciting challenge of composition.
[3]The work is scored for an orchestra comprising two flutes, piccolo, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, and strings.