Sunrise
Score title
Sunrise
Composer
Thea Musgrave
More about the composer
Date
Instrumentation
Library copy
Program note
Flute doubling alto flute
Commissioned by Backshore Artists Project Inc. on the occasion of Carol Wincenc’s fortieth anniversary and underwritten by a grant from Linda and Stuart Nelson. First performance, 22 February 2010 at the Morgan Library, New York, by Les Amies (Carol Wincenc, flute; Nancy Allen, harp; Cynthia Phelps, viola).
The work is dedicated to Carol Wincenc for this very special occasion.
It starts slowly with the alto flute leading to a dark dream-like section with a theme that is marked rubato, seductive. The viola echoes this melody but tries to move it to another key. Eventually the tempo quickens as the harp adds a new theme which the others soon copy.
A new svegliato (awakening) follow where the harp and viola encourage the flute to join them in a sprightly scherzo which grows to a climax to herald the sunrise. Here the viola leads with a glowing theme. After the flute has echoed this melody the mood quietens and in a peaceful coda the flute ‘remembers’ the theme from the very opening: it is now bathed in sunlight and is marked luminous.
© 2009 Thea Musgrave
The work is dedicated to Carol Wincenc for this very special occasion.
It starts slowly with the alto flute leading to a dark dream-like section with a theme that is marked rubato, seductive. The viola echoes this melody but tries to move it to another key. Eventually the tempo quickens as the harp adds a new theme which the others soon copy.
A new svegliato (awakening) follow where the harp and viola encourage the flute to join them in a sprightly scherzo which grows to a climax to herald the sunrise. Here the viola leads with a glowing theme. After the flute has echoed this melody the mood quietens and in a peaceful coda the flute ‘remembers’ the theme from the very opening: it is now bathed in sunlight and is marked luminous.
© 2009 Thea Musgrave