Work
Pearls of the Sea
for bass flute and harp
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About
'Pearls of the Sea' is a line from an evocative poem by NZ artist Len Lye , and hints at the magical, somewhat ritualistic qualities of this freeform piece. When Bridget suggested I write for the bass flute, I was struck with composerly enthusiasm for this newfound sonorous wonder, whose personality seems to encompass a touch of Japanese shakuhachi, trombone, foghorn and even low tomtom, as well as the more obvious qualities of its sisters (the alto and C flutes). It was a thrill to write for these instruments in combination, particularly as Bridget and Carolyn had already played my a pink-lit phase for flute viola and harp and were keen to have something similar. This work was commissioned by Chamber Music NZ for the duo Flight and is dedicated to Bridget Douglas and Carolyn Mills. They premiered it on a NZ tour in 2005.
Commissioned note
Commissioned by Chamber Music New Zealand for Flight (Bridget Douglas and Carolyn Mills) for their 2005 New Zealand tour
Performance history
25 Sep 2005: Performed by Bridget Douglas (flute), Carolyn Mills (harp); Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, New Plymouth
08 Jun 2008: Flight - Music 45 ° Below
25 Jan 2009: Flights of Fancy
04 Mar 2011: Flight - NZSM Lunchtime Concert
30 May 2019: Performed by Bridget Douglas (bass flute) and Carolyn Mills (harp) for Stroma at the Hannah Playhouse, Wellington
30 May 2019: STROMA | Where Sea Meets Sky
Featuring: John Rimmer
Performed by Flight – Bridget Douglas (bass flute) and Carolyn Mills (harp)