12.5.83
Drake Mabry
About this work:
I wrote this solo for alto recorder after performing Berio's Gesti on a SONOR concert at UCSD in San Diego. Originally an oboist, I learned the recorder in order to play the Berio piece. I perform 12.5.83 on a copy of a Rottenburgh Baroque alto recorder made by Friedrich von Huene. It is tuned to 415 hz. My work is in three movements, and although inspired by Berio, treats the recorder in a different way. the first contains dramatic switches between quiet and agitated passages. The second movement, inspired by an Allegro in a Telemann sonata (C major), creates the illusion of two or three players through its use of a very fast ppp continuous motion part on the recorder with recorder and voice interjections superimposed above. The third movement is a quiet meditation recalling elements of the previous movements. Recorder players tell me that this is a virtuosic piece. The performer needs to feel at home with double tonguing; multiphonics; and singing while playing.
Year composed: 1983
Duration: 00:06:30
Ensemble type: Unknown:unknown 1
Instrumentation: ,1 Other Wind Instrument(s) soloist(s)
Instrumentation notes: alto recorder