Double Concerto for Mandolin, Violin and Orchestra premiered November 9-10, 2014, with Akemi Takayama, violin soloist and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, conducted by David Stewart Wiley.

Review of Rhapsody, Jeff's composition for mandolin and wind symphony

A striking new work, “Rhapsody,” by Jeff Midkiff, is scored for the unlikely — probably unique — combination of solo mandolin and symphonic wind ensemble. The melodic ideas are fresh and fluent. The harmonies are apt, varied and expressive. And the tonal colors of the 60-piece ensemble were exploited in a wide range of dynamics and voicings.

Crucial to any solo piece with large ensemble is balance. For an instrument as light in tone as the mandolin, balancing a full wind band is not easy. Midkiff’s piece accomplished the task with taste and flair, using the silvery top range of the mandolin against the deep muted roar of the low brass, as well as more percussive figurations against the mid-range and upper voices of the band. At no point was the solo instrument over-balanced except--obviously intentionally — when it was suddenly over-called by the full ensemble.

The ensemble playing, by the Concordia University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, was excellent throughout, showing conviction and skill, ably led by conductor Richard Fischer.

—Dr. John M. Ware is an organist, choir director and composer, and is a former music faculty member of Virginia Union University.