Anthem

Description

The original Anthem, for solo flute and large chamber ensemble, was commissioned by the New York Chamber Ensemble and was completed at the MacDowell Colony in February 1994. It was written for flutist Susan Rotholz, with whom I had just played Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Inspired by her beautiful and passionate playing, the heart of the piece is an original chorale over which the flute sings its narrative while struggling to maintain its identity. The flute’s language of microtonal inflections and progressions evolved out of my study of Japanese shakuhachi music and a fascination with birdson. Stephen Rogers Radcliffe conducted the premiere of March 30, 1994, at Alice Tully Hall. (Notes of the composer)

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