In Bloom Official Program

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pprogram program rogram

three romances opus 22 three romances opus 22 three romances opus 22

I.AndanteMolto I.AndanteMolto I.AndanteMolto

d’un matin de printemps d’un matin de printemps d’un matin de printemps

((1819-1896) (1819-1896) 1819-1896)

II.AllegrettoII.AllegrettoII.Allegretto lili boulanger lili boulanger lili boulanger

(OfaSpringMorning) (OfaSpringMorning) (OfaSpringMorning)

((1893-1918) (1893-1918) 1893-1918)

((b.1953) (b.1953) b.1953)

ents 1 and 2 ents 1 and 2 ents 1 and 2

ra schumann ra schumann ra schumann

ClaraSchumann’s(1819-1896)ThreeRomances,Op.22,fluteandpiano,isadeeply expressive work that embodies the lyrical qualities and romanticism of the 19th century. Written in 1849, the piece reflects Schumann’s mastery of melody and her ability to create an intimate and emotionally charged piece of music. The first two movements, both graceful and evocative, showcasing the delicate balance between the fluteandpiano,highlightingtheinterplaybetweenthetwoinstrumentswithasenseof lyricalfreedomandsubtledialogue.

The first movement, Andante Molto ,opens with a slow, singing melody in the flute, accompanied by gentle, flowing piano chords. The movement’s intimate character is reinforcedbyitssimple,yetexpressiveharmonicprogressions,whichcreatesareflective atmosphere.Theflute’slong,legatopassagescontrastbeautifullywiththepiano’ssoft, rippling accompaniment, creating a sense of dialogue between the two voices. The movement’sromanticismisevidentinitsyearning,emotivemelodies,drawinglisteners intoaspaceoftenderreflection.

The second movement, Andantino, shifts to a more lively and charming character, marked by a delicate interplay of rhythms between the flute and piano. The flute’s playful, syncopated motifs are answered by the piano, with both instruments exchanging musical ideas in a graceful, conversational manner. The movement is characterized by a sense of lightness and elegance, with the piano’s accompaniment providing both harmonic support and rhythmic drive. The expressive qualities of the fluteareenhancedbySchumann’suseofcontrastingdynamicsandphrasing,givingthe movementalively,yetintimatefeel.

Three Romances, Op. 22 highlights Schumann’s deep understanding of instrumental timbre and emotional expression. Written while she was solidifying her reputation as both a composer and pianist, the piece blends lyrical beauty with intricate interplay betweenfluteandpiano.Sinceitspremierein1850,ithasremainedabelovedstapleof thefluteandviolinrepertoire,captivatingaudienceswithitsromanticismandrefined compositionaltechniques.

n matin de printemps n matin de printemps n matin de printemps of a spring morning) of a spring morning) of a spring morning)

ili boulanger ili boulanger li boulanger

Lili Boulanger’s (1893-1918) Dun Matin de Printemps (Of a ingMorning)forfluteandpiano,composedin1918,isaradiant ression of spring’s early light, full of lush harmonies, delicate tures, and vivid imagery. One of Boulanger’s most celebrated ks, it showcases her ability to convey profound emotion through ely crafted melodies and orchestral-like color. The piece evokes awakeningofnaturewithasenseoffreshnessandhope. ening with the flute’s shimmering motif, D’un Matin de ntemps immediately establishes a feeling of renewal. The piano’s cading figures provide harmonic support and sparkling texture, mplementing the flute’s flowing melody. The two instruments age in a lyrical conversation, with expressive interplay that enhancesthework’simpressionisticcharacter. As the piece progresses, its movement and vitality intensify, with chromatic harmonies and subtle tonal shifts adding depth. Boulanger’s attention to color is evident in the flute’s pure tones, enrichedbythepiano’sharmonicandrhythmictextures.Themusic captures the spirit of spring bursting with life yet delicate in its balanceoflightnessanddepth.

Premieredin1919,D’unMatindePrintempshasbecomeabeloved chamber work, admired for its evocative portrayal of nature and refinedmusicallanguage.Boulanger’sabilitytotranslatetheessence of spring into sound continues to resonate with performers and listenersalike.

ttrillium trillium rillium

elizabeth brown elizabeth brown elizabeth brown

Eliz ( 953) rilliumforsolofluteisaworkoflyricalandevocative work,inspiredbythedelicatebeautyofthetrilliumflower,awoodlandwildflowerwith three white petals. This piece reflects Brown’s fascination with timbre and subtle variationinsound,creatinganatmospherethatisbothluminousandalsodreamlike. Notable for its incorporation of extended techniques, Trillium, features harmonics, multiphonics,pitchbending,andmicrotonalprogression,allwithmeticulouslynotated and detailed fingerings. These techniques, influenced by Japanese shakuhachi music andbirdsong,createashimmeringandetherealqualitythroughthepiece.Brown’suse oftrills,tremolos,andalternatefingeringsfurtherenhancesthetonalcolorsandsubtle timbral shifts, drawing out the nuanced beauty of the flute’s voice and echoing the eleganceofthetrilliumflower.Hercompositionalapproachemphasizesfluidphrasing and organic musical gestures, allowing the natural resonance of the flute to shape the work.

Brown’smusicisdeeplyinfluencedbyherexperiencewiththeshakuhachi,theJapanese bamboo flute she has studied since 1982. This influence is particularly evident in Trillium through the use of breathy tone colors, fluid phrasing, and subtle pitch modulationsthatrecalltheexpressivequalitiesofshakuhachimusic.Thepiece’sfocus on timbre, silence, and the physicality of sound is characteristic of Brown’s approach, where musical elements are shaped with the same care and attention a painter might give to light and shadow. The result is an intimate, almost otherworldly soundscape thatinvitesbothperformerandlistenerintoacontemplative,immersiveexperience.

Written with advanced high school flutists in mind, as it was commissioned by the NationalFluteAssociationforthe2000HighSchoolSoloistCompetition,Trilliumis accessibletothoseusingaclosed-holeC-footflute,witharangeextendingfromaC4to anA6.Brown’smeticulousattentiontodetailallowsforperformerstoengagewiththe piece’s expressive potential while offering a rich exploration of the flute’s sonic capabilities,regardlessoftheleveloffluteplayedupon.

Premiered at the NFA convention in 2000, Trillium has since become a celebrated addition to solo flute repertoire. Through its seamless fusion of Western classical tradition and Eastern influence, Brown showcases her ability to craft works that are bothtechnicallyrewardinganddeeplyexpressive.

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