Op. 12 – Homeward Angels

Homeward Angels was written at the request of bassoonist Ronald Bukoff. It originally formed the second movement of a three movement bassoon concerto, since withdrawn. Its present form for bassoon and piano was completed in 1991, just as Bukoff was preparing to move back to his home town of Los Angeles, the city of angels. I figured the allusion to Thomas Wolfe in the title would make people think.

The music is a lyrical pop ballad, one which turns darker in the middle section.