Capricornus Caribbicus

Description

Elisabeth Austin presents Capricornus Caribbicus, a work in three movements for flute, oboe, and piano.

The punctuated rhythms and syncopations of African derivation which overlay the Contradance, the most popular dance in the Caribbean during the nineteenth century, combined to form the first musical genre that truly had a Caribbean character. The fast, upbeat first movement Danza reflects these influences. Besides turning itself into a percussive ‘wood drum’ at times, the piano also simulates the low, deep rolling sea.

The Beatitude of Movement II’s title acknowledges those physically blind, but not spiritually. This middle movement is calm and expectant, as if one is hearing and seeing in a world different than our own. Upwardly spiraling passages signal a heavenly direction.

The final movement brings together many threads of Caribbean life; a waltz rhythm turns into the dotted notes of the habenera, with an incongruous folk hymn interlaced with a popular latin-american melody.

For advanced players.

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