Anthem
Elizabeth Brown
About this work:
Anthem, for solo flute and chamber orchestra, was commissioned by the New York Chamber Ensemble and was completed at the MacDowell Colony in February 1994 (with a slight revision in 1998). 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 birdsong. Stephen Rogers Radcliffe conducted the premiere on March 30, 1994, at Alice Tully Hall and a repeat performance at the Cape May Music Festival. Anthem received Honorable Mention in the 1994 Barlow International Competition.Published by Quetzal Music, available from the composer.
Version: chamber orchestra version
Year composed: 1994
Duration: 00:14:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 6-9 players
Instrumentation: ,1 Flute soloist(s), 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Bassoon, 1 Horn in F, 1 Strings (General)
Instrumentation notes: fl, Bb cl, ob, bsn, hn, strings (has been done with only a string quartet,
but 3-2-2-2-1 preferred)