Agrell: 'Blues for DD'

26 September, 2020

At Home with Diana Doherty. Playing a piece written for her by composer Jeffrey Agrell, our Principal Oboe is joined at home by Principal Double Bass Kees Boersma and Associate Principal Percussion Mark Robinson.

About the music

Written by Diana Doherty

I’ve always loved jazz and wished I could play it.

So in 1993 when I discovered that my very talented friend and Lucerne Symphony Orchestra colleague, Jeffrey Agrell, was also quietly composing jazz-inspired pieces for classical wind players, I asked (well, begged) him if he could write something for me too. He very kindly did, and "Blues for DD” was born.

Fast-forward a few years, and the piece has now been played by many people, in many arrangements. This incarnation in collaboration with my fabulous Sydney Symphony colleagues Mark and Kees has been so much fun to put together!

Thanks again, Jeff. You’re a gem.