The Blue Ridge Mountains of North America have inspired many composers. The melodic and rhythmic patterns associated with that region provide a wholesome rustic diet, which may balance our urban sophistication.

The three movements of this work are composed on simple symphonic structures, but they include a programmatic element linked by the idea of Bacchus, the god of wine, women and song. To me personally (and probably without conscious foundation), Bacchus has always been a rather jazzy cit...