Lonely Lake

Margaret Brouwer

2011

Flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, piano

Flute doubling alto flute, clarinet doubling bass clarinet

Lonely Lake was commissioned by Hank and Mary Doll and is inspired by their “camp”. On Lonely Lake in Canada and accessible only by boat, this small settlement of cabins has been in the family for over 100 years. Picture Hank walking through the woods to the lake in the first light of dawn. Everything is quiet and still with just an occasional birdcall. The music begins with instrumental renditions of these birdcalls - the sandhill crane, the belted kingfisher, the wood thrush, and the song sparrow. Then Lonely Lake goes on to reflect Hank’s early morning swim – gradual sounds of the swishing water at the beginning of the swim that gain momentum into a steady breast stroke and then the beauty and brilliance of the rising sun glinting on the water and in the eyes. Of his early morning swims, Hank says: “On the mornings when the sun isn't shrouded by clouds, I'm usually looking directly into it. When I close my eyes, I always see a vivid orange/red color, which is split by the silvery brilliance of the sun. If I keep my eyes closed for a few strokes, the colors change somewhat, particularly when I put my head under water. Usually the sun-streak becomes blue, often looking a bit like a jagged fence or a deep blue insignia. The image takes on the quality of some Indian paintings I've seen where primary colors are used to depict the boldness and awesomeness of nature.” Lonely Lake progresses through musical development of the birdcalls and swimming motifs into busy daytime activities, and ends with the sounds of loons at dusk.