Instr:
2 (1 doubling picc.).2.2.2-2
Duration:
12 minutes
Commission:
Tanglewood Music Center
Premier:
Fellows of the Tanglewood Music Center on July 8, 2012
Pasiphae Verses was commissioned by the Tanglewood Music Center for its 75th anniversary season. The piece is scored for double wind quintet—a somewhat uncommon ensemble. The size of the ensemble allows for intimate solo and chamber moments as well as fuller, “orchestral” sonorities, and I approached the ensemble with the intention of making use of this variety of available textures. Inspired by living in istanbul, I also continued my exploration of melodic microtones in this work, which to my ears allow simple melodic structures to sound fresh in their evocation of the new and old.