Douglas Monroe, assistant professor of clarinet, was the featured soloist for the American premiere of Benjamin Britten’s “Movements for a Clarinet Concerto” on Oct. 1 at the Empire Arts Center in Grand Forks, N.D.
Composer Britten wrote an incomplete concerto for Benny Goodman in 1939 and Colin Matthews completed the work two years ago. It was premiered and recorded in England in 2010. Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra conductor and Britten scholar Alexander Platt has obtained permission for the American premiere of the piece.
Other pieces performed during the concert included “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Aaron Copland, Dvorak’s “American Suite” and a Salute to Big Bands.