21st Century Flute Concertos by Richard Arnest

In the last movement Odisseus, overcomes trials and obstacles and completes his voyage.

Liquescence

The scholars of Oxford define liquescence as “the process or fact of becoming liquid”. The idea of thaw, of melting, is central to this composition. In this music the strings provide the foundation: structure, rhythm, melody and color. The flute, always agile, plays along the interface between fluidity and stasis. From the start it ornaments the spaces between the beats. It takes up the pattern of the dance only to set up the next departure into its own sphere. There is no opposition between the elements – their contrast creates the music.

Casanova

The first movement presents the idea of the young Casanova, superficial yet brilliant and striking. The second movement is a “gondoliera” or “barcarola,” more pensive and lyrical, representing passion lived in a more conscious and mature way; the central cadenza calls like the song of a nightingale far away. The dramatic third movement is the phase of decline and regret, winter bringing the cycle of life to a close with a tumult of recollection and memory.

Impromptu

Here everything has a well defined place; every space is occupied by its own specific and irreplaceable object. It is not only order and hierarchy but true compositional virtuosity, veiled by apparent simplicity and lightness.

ABOUT THE COMPOSERS

Paolo Pessina (b. 1969) is a conductor and a composer of stage and film scores, symphonic, vocal and chamber music. In 2001 he formed the Orchestra Sinfonica Adriatica.

Richard Arnest (b.1950) lives and composes in Cincinnati, where he sings with the May Festival Chorus. Liquescence won the 2004 EPICMUSIC competition.

Danielle Zanettovich (b.1950) is a prizewinning composer who writes and teaches in Northern Italy.

Jean Françaix (1912 – 1997) was a neoclassical French composer, pianist, and orchestrator, known for his prolific output and vibrant style.

ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE

For more information about the music and composers see the liner notes of the CD.

To find out about EPICmusic see www.epicmusic.net

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