Gary Schocker: "Three Mystery Pieces" for flute and piano was written in 2002. The composition is a stylistically enigmatic suite for flute and piano that showcases Gary Schocker’s talent for musical parody and historical pastiche, specifically mimicking the distinct "flavors" of early 20th-century European composers:
1. Waiting for Nightfall / L’istesso tempo (In the style of Gabriel Fauré);
2. Moonlit / Semplice (In the style of Erik Satie)
3. Romance 4018 (In the style of Francis Poulenc).
In 2002, Schocker was fascinated by the idea of "becoming" other composers. According to the Azica Records liner notes, the "Mystery" in the title is a game for the audience: they are meant to guess which famous French composer each movement is channeling. Following the national tragedy of 2001, Schocker's 2002 works often leaned into nostalgia and elegance. "Three Mystery Pieces" allowed him to retreat into the "shimmering and witty" sound world of Paris as a form of creative respite.
This work was a centerpiece of his collaboration with flutist Angela Kelly. They used these pieces in recitals as "blind tests" for the audience, further emphasizing the playful, theatrical nature of Schocker's 2002 output.
The title "Romance 4018" on the Angela Kelly recording is a playful jab at the rigorous cataloging of classical composers (like Mozart’s K. numbers or Schubert’s D. numbers). By giving it such a high, arbitrary number, Schocker is suggesting that this is just one of thousands of "typical" French Romances.

Angela Kelly (flute), Gary Schocker (piano), 2005, Azica Records / Naxos

1. Waiting for Nightfall / L’istesso tempo

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Angela Kelly (flute), Gary Schocker (piano), 2005, Azica Records / Naxos

2. Moonlit / Semplice

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Angela Kelly (flute), Gary Schocker (piano), 2005, Azica Records / Naxos

3. Romance 4018

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Schocker Gary

Gary Schocker (1959) is an American flutist, pianist, harpist, composer and teacher.
Born in Pennsylvania, he started to play flute at the age of 10 and 5 years later he debuted as a soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, becoming acclaimed performer before attending the Julliard School.
Laureate of many Young Artist competitions in the US, Gary Schocker has gained reputation as a versatile performer, able to fill in, if necessary, even Jean-Pierre Rampal when he had to perform W.A. Mozart concerto with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra on a short notice.
Even though he regularly appears as a soloist or chamber musician throughout the world, he has proven to be a prolific composer. He has written music for almost every orchestral instrument and received multiple recognitions from the National Flute Association, winning twice the annual Newly Published Music Award.

Gary Schocker has recorded 8 CDs as a soloist with versatile repertoire and additional recordings with his recital companions Emily Mitchell (harp) and Jason Vieaux (guitar).
Gary Schocker teaches at the New York University and in his private studios in New York and Easton, Pennsylvania.