Chocolates for Viola or Clarinet and Orchestra
(1999)

Arrangement commissioned by:
 The Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra

Instrumentation:
    solo viola or clarinet with 2222/2210/2perc/harp/strings
    [NOTE: in clarinet version, mvt. 1 on clarinet in A; mvt. 2 on bass; mvt. 3 on soprano.]
    
    The solo part to Chocolates is also arranged for alto saxophone.

Duration:
    Three  movements (Godiva, Bittersweet, Triple Mocha Indulgence), ca. 16:00

Comments and Reviews

... a wonderful and significant addition to our repertoire... challenging as well as truly FUN to play... very successful with audiences in both viola/piano and viola/orchestra scoring... the closet torch-song singer in many of us would be hard-pressed to find a more satisfying outlet... can be programmed for a traditional recital or a concerto appearance...

Michelle LaCourse, viola
featured soloist with the Lawrence Chamber Orchestra
faculty, Boston University and University of Massachusetts

... harmonies are exquisite, logical and understandable... melodies are soaring... rhythms provocative... Grant’s orchestration is deft and colorful, idiomatic and supportive... audience reaction was unparalleled... the orchestra was excited, and truly enjoyed playing it...

Juan LaManna, Music Director
Lawrence Chamber Orchestra

... simply put, the Chocolates are a blast to rehearse and perform... the Gershwin-esque sounds appeal to both orchestra and audience, and the rich orchestrations give the music a 30's-40's dance hall flavor that's just plain fun... this piece should be high on your list...

Michael Gagliardo, Music Director
Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra

… what a joy to learn and play this piece -- using the "A" clarinet in “Godiva” (1^st mvt.) is a real plus...  "Bittersweet" (2^nd mvt.) really works well on the Bass Clarinet with plenty of opportunity for some lush playing…  "Triple Mocha Indulgence" (3^rd mvt.) is a blast to play -- using the Bb soprano gives this movement a sparkle -- you can let your hair down and play some nice "swing-style" clarinet… closing this work with the Eb-clarinet lick is a stroke of genius….

Carl Anderson, clarinet
featured soloist with the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra

Program Notes

The three CHOCOLATES for Viola or Clarinet and Orchestra are torch songs in the tradition of the passionate, tuneful ballads of the American 40s and 50s.

The first two CHOCOLATES, "Godiva" and "Bittersweet," offer soulful narratives that speak to devotion, poignancy, romance, uncertainty, longing. The third Chocolate, "Triple Mocha Indulgence," is slightly less soul-searching, more ebullient, and progressively becomes animated (a sugar high, perhaps?) right up to its raucous close.

This concerto version of CHOCOLATES was commissioned by the Etowah Youth Symphony Orchestra, Michael Gagliardo, music director. It is an orchestral arrangement of CHOCOLATES for Viola and Piano, originally commissioned by violist Michelle LaCourse.

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