The music of Robert Kechley is familiar to audiences of Orchestra Seattle and the Seattle Chamber Singers through the numerous works of this composer that have been premiered by both ensembles. These range from arrangements of brief folk songs and hymns to major symphonic and choral works, including the delightful Symphony No. 2 ("Ferdinand the Bull"), a setting of Psalm 100 for organ, chorus and orchestra (performed in September of 2000 by OSSCS at Benaroya Hall) and a flute concerto (premiered by Jeffrey Cohan and Orchestra Seattle in February of 2002). Mr. Kechley grew up in Seattle and attended the University of Washington, where he studied harpsichord performance with Sylvia Kind and composition with Kenneth Benshoof, Robert Suderberg, William O. Smith, and others. A member of the Seattle Chamber Singers from the early days of the ensemble, he not only sang in the chorus but played oboe and keyboard. Mr. Kechley currently serves as principal harpsichordist for Orchestra Seattle. The composer has provided the following note about his newest composition.

This concerto, designed to show the trumpet in a variety of moods and settings, is comprised of three movements: Giocando con fuoco, Poesia, and Tarantella. The use of Italian titles was inspired by the very stylized Tarantella (a fast dance in triple meter) for the final movement. The title for the first movement translates as "Playing with Fire." Here, a number of themes are presented, some fiery and passionate, others more playful and humorous. As the piece develops these themes are play off each other and are combined in various ways to make a kind of game of hide and seek with the different tunes.

The second movement is a poetic ballad giving the trumpet a chance to be lyrical. The opening calm is contrasted with more intense melodies in the romantic middle section. The connecting bridge is a noble chorale in the brass with the solo trumpet soaring above.

The Tarantella is a spirited dance movement full of joy and fun with lots of surprising key changes and catchy tunes: a tour-de-force for the solo trumpet and the orchestra alike.