The Christmas Mirror
Karen Amrhein
About this work:
In "The Christmas Mirror" we join Eleanor Ellsworth-Weatherspoon and her Aunt Rigelia for the holidays. Eleanor, a selfish little girl, receives a special looking glass from her aunt on Christmas Eve. The mirror reflects the beholder's true nature - but only on Christmas Day.
I wrote this short story on a lonely Christmas Eve in 1997, inspired by classic Christmas tales such as O. Henry's The Gift of the Magi and Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Over succeeding Christmas seasons I sketched a few brief musical interludes for it, and at conductor Sheldon Bair's invitation, I expanded the music in the summer of 2005. I revisited Winter from my Symphony of Seasons and revised and orchestrated a few of my chamber pieces to supplement the new music I'd composed for the story.
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:35:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Orchestra with Soloist(s)
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 1 Bass Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 2 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 1 Percussion (General), 1 Strings (General), 1 Narrator
Instrumentation notes: 1 to 3 Narrators may be used.