Homeward Angels was written at the request of bassoonist Ronald Bukoff. Originally part of a three movement concerto, I decided to extract the central movement as a separate piece. This new version appeared in 1991, just as Bukoff was preparing to move back to his home town of Los Angeles, the "city of angels." I figured the allusion to Thomas Wolfe in the title would make people think.

The music is a lyrical pop ballad, one which turns darker in the middle section. Solo strings take the melody upon its return.