Gabriel's Wing
Judith Shatin
About this work:
Gabriel's Wing was inspired by the Biblical Gabriel, one of the Archangels, a messenger of God. The music features resonant harmonic series that are associated with the music of the spheres as well as soaring melodic lines that embody images of flight. The flute represents Gabriel, the piano the medium through which the angel moves and speaks. This one-movement, nine-minute work won the National Flute Association’s Newly Published Music competition and was presented at the Washington D.C. convention in 1992. It was recorded by Patricia Spencer on the Neuma label.
The American Record Guide said; "Judith Shatin's Gabriel's Wing, for flute and piano (1989), likewise conveys in its nine minutes a well-crafted sense of ecstatic climax...Much of this program makes difficult demands, and I hear no tentativity, reach, or strain; a strong sense, rather, of Patricia Spencer's skillful empathy. If it's a rapturous mood you're after. this well produced Neuma provides it in high-quality abundance."
Pan, The British Flute Jourhal said: ...The works by Shatin are more challenging technically, but are worth the extra effort for their unusual and attractive atmospheres. Gabriel's Wing won the National Flute Association's Published Music Competition in 1992. ...Judith Shatin (b.1949) is an American composer and flautist. familiar with the possibilities of the instrument in both traditional and extended techniques. She is known equally for her dramatic acoustic compositions and for her imaginative use of computer-generated sound.
Gabriel's Wing (1989) for flute and piano. In a tightly constructed piece, the angelic flute takes flight through the piano's evocative medium. By clever use of pedalling, chords rich in overtones and other harmonic effects, the piano provides an exciting backdrop for the flute's soaring phrases which are enhanced by singing with the flute tone."
Year composed:
Duration: 01:31:41
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Keyboard plus One Instrument
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Piano