"Fantasy Variations" was commissioned by Dr. Robert Jordan, whose celebrated career as a bassoonist with the United States Air Force Bands spanned twenty years. Prior to his service, Robert studied bassoon at Louisiana State University where we became friends. When Robert commissioned this piece, he asked that it reflect our time together at LSU. and suggested using “Tiger Rag” as a jumping off point. The challenge was setting that familiar tune in a way that disguised its memorable melody and harmony, while reflecting Robert’s rich personality and his love of LSU. What I concocted was a theme and variations that utilizes melodic and rhythmic elements of “Tiger Rag” but in a setting whose harmonic language ranges far afield from the familiar tonal and tertian presentation of the original song. I also believe it reflects Robert; it’s funny, smart, at times introverted and at other times the opposite, by turns serious and light-hearted, but always a little unexpected and a hell of a lot of fun!
