Constellations

Details

Year: 2009

Duration: 10'

Instrumentation: multiple flutes

Program Notes

The Oxford dictionary defines ‘Constellation’ as a group or cluster of brilliant things. The immediate association is with clusters of stars, but in this piece the term also applies to the brilliance of sonority produced by clusters of flutes. The piece was composed in late 2009 at the suggestion of William Dowdall, to whom it is dedicated.

Constellations consists of a ‘backing track’ of multiple superimposed flutes, and a solo flute part. It falls into four continuous sections, marked by the ascent from bass flutes through alto flute, C flute and finally piccolos. The work attempts to depict this starry voyage.

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