ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

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CP 37......CANTATA RUSTICA , op.83, 1991, (SSATB chorus, tamb., timp. [3], chimes) 18 min.

CP 316...CONCERTO FOR CELLO & CHAMBER ORCHESTRA , op.100, 1996, (2ob, 2hn, 2bn, stgs) 21 min.
LOS ANGELES TIMES “With all due respect to Bach, Handel, and Telemann, ---the most memorable music of the evening--probing intensity---Stravinsky-ish touches yield to lyricism.” “It is a modernist essay, tense yet engaging.”
VENTURA COUNTY STAR: “--the highlight of the evening---the entire concerto has the touch of a composer whose classical depth is succinctly, and beguilingly restated in contemporary terms.”

CP 300...CONCERTO FOR OBOE & STRING ORCHESTRA, op.4, 1958, 20 min.
SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN MUSIC “---expressive and lyrical---well-crafted and hauntingly beautiful---”
NEW MUSIC CONNOISSEUR “---flavorful melodies....a clear discourse of themes, rich and attentive orchestration, and formal viability.”

CP 321...DOUBLE REED CONCERTO , op.120, 2011, (ob, Ehrn, bn, string orchestra) 22 min.

CP 309...SONGS OF LAUGHTER, LOVE, AND TEARS , op.67, 1985, (tenor & string orchestra) 20 min.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS PRESS “Provided with a lush harmonic base and melodic structure, this is an ingratiating work, having immediate appeal.”
FANFARE MAGAZINE “---magic---deceptively folklike---ravishing melancholy.”
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE “---a genuine cycle---marvelous string writing---quite ingenious---.”

 CP 153...STATES OF MIND , op.110, 2002, (string orchestra) 11 min.

CP 301...TRIPLE CONCERTO, op.11, 1959, (trumpet, horn, trombone, & string orchestra) 18 min.
SOCIETY FOR AMERICAN MUSIC “---a truly remarkable showcase for horn, trumpet, and trombone. ---exciting and turbulant---bound, hopefully, to become a standard in the world's concert halls.”
FORT WORTH STAR TELEGRAM “---the contrapuntal textures of Renaissance choral music echo in this concerto.”
SANTA BARBARA NEWS PRESS “---vigorous, and cleverly written---gave evidence of a genuine talent.”
FANFARE MAGAZINE “---a brilliant vehicle to demonstrate the skill of the soloists.” “---an elegant central Sostenuto---.”

 CP 308...AMERICAN FOLK SONG SUITE, op.58, 1981, (2222 4331 timp 3prc hrp opt mens cho) 14 min.
THE REGISTER (Santa Ana, CA) “---colorful and resourceful. The piece is deftly and fluently made, undemanding and agreeable to listen to.”

CP 315...THE BALLAD OF WILLIAM SYCAMORE , op.96, 1995, (2222 4321 timp 3prc stgs narrator) 16 min.
LOS ANGELES TIMES “---solid, accessable, emotionally resonant---”.
VENTURA COUNTY STAR “---stylish suggestion of vast spaces and ingrained strength proved compelling.”
BORIS BROTT, conductor, New West Symphony [letter to the composer] “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for producing a work of such colour, imagination, immediate accessibility and yet invention and novelty for the opening of the New West Symphony's first season.”
CLASSICS TODAY.COM “---Biggs smartly alternates recitation with long passages of independent music so that the result is very enjoyable.”
THE GRAMOPHONE: “---the bumptious spirit is likeable---and the final stanzas are affectingly set.”

 CP 311...CONCERTO FOR ORCHESTRA , op.76, 1988, (2222 4331 timp 3prc hrp stgs) 22 min.
VENTURA COUNTY STAR: “---sustained, sophistocated, and serious---”

 CP 310...CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN & CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA , op.72, 1987, (2222,22, timp, stgs) 26 min.
SANTA BARBARA NEWS PRESS “---an excellently crafted composition, vitally rhythmic, appealingly melodic, and harmonically amiable.” “---do not be astonished if one day it finds itself alongside the great violin concertos of the musical world.”
NEW MUSIC CONNOISSEUR “expressive - - - rhythmic - - - lylting - - ”

 CP 306...LITTLE SUITE , op.53, 1978, (2222,22 timp, stgs, 2 solo violins) 17 min.
MILL VALLEY (CA) STAR “Mozart and Shostakovich? Beethoven and Bartok?” “---Euphorically captivating---spirited and ecclectic.”

CP 303...PASSACAGLIA , op.21, 1964, (2222 4221 timp 3prc stgs) 9 min.

CP 313...PASTICHE: AN OVERTURE , op.89, 1992, (2222 4331 timp 2prc stgs) 6 min. (27 quotes from 19 composers)
RECORDS INTERNATIONAL (March ’99) “John Biggs' Pastiche is worthy of the Hoffnung concerts (remember the Concerto Popolaire?).”

 CP 314...SALUTATION , op.93, 1993, (2222 4331 timp 3prc stgs) 6 min
VENTURA COUNTY STAR “Biggs' new piece is a monumental miniature” “--a brief piece with an imposing sound.”
BRIEFLY NOTED (David Cleary) “ - - a composition of expansive gestures - - broad fanfare-style brass scoring.”

CP 319...SOUSAPHERNALIA , op. 107, 1999, (2222 4200 timp stgs) 6.5 min.
LOS ANGELES TIMES “- - - filled with hope and wistful reflection of tunes gone by.” “- - - a tapestry of color and warmth.”
VENTURA COUNTY STAR “- - - a delightful dance through some of bandmaster Sousa's most familiar themes, woven into a texture that adds a bit of introspection.”

CP 302...SYMPHONY NO. 1 , op. 23, 1964, (2222 4221 timp 3prc stgs) 26 min.
LA METROPOLE: “Full of humor and drive, the work gave proof of a solid craftsmanship.” DE NIEUWE GAZETTE: “---he speaks a fresh, modern language with a remarkable balance of reason and feeling.” “---without a doubt a masterful piece of work.”
VOLKS GAZETTE: “---the indisputable high point of the concert.”
GAZETTE VAN ANTWERPEN: “---a cunning that reveals technical mastery. We are in contact with a talented composer whose reputation is sure to grow.”
CLASSICS TODAY.COM “---quite marvelous.” “---a recognizably “American” musical language full of zesty syncopations and bouncing rhythms.”

 CP 312...SYMPHONY NO. 2 , op.88, 1991, (2222 4331 timp 3prc hp stgs) 21 min.
CLASSICS TODAY.COM “---innate charm and melodic appeal---.” “Its opening idea, a winding melody for flute, is quite haunting and Biggs uses it very skillfully to bind together the workÕs episodic structure.”
THE GRAMOPHONE: “---the work is suffused with a serene lyricism---.” “---an attractive and well-crafted work that deserves to be more widely known.”

 CP 307...VARIATIONS ON A THEME OF SHOSTAKOVICH , op.52, 1977, (piano solo 2222 4221 tmp 2prc stgs) 21 min.
LOS ANGELES TIMES “---highly accessable---.” “Driving ostinatos and high energy attest to Mr. Biggs' affinity for the music of Shostakovich.” “---the work emerges ebullient and optimistic.”:
SANTA BARBARA NEWS PRESS “There is no doubt that Biggs captures the essence of the Russian composer.” “---there is a lightness, a vivacity, and at times a devil-may-care feeling. ---the orchestration is bright, spirited, and rhythmic---.”
MAURICE ABRAVANEL (conductor, Utah Symphony)“---a very friendly piece. ---so completely organic. It certainly makes for enjoyable listening.”
CLASSICAL MUSIC WEB “---a deeply felt tribute to the Russian composer---.” “---lyricism, bitter-sweet irony and rhythmic energy, --American to the core. A quite substantial, earnest and honest piece of music that deserves to be better known.”