Apparition (2010)

For flut, clarinet, harp
Duration: 6 minutes

Program Note:

Apparition for Harp, Flute and Clarinet is a short musical depiction of Stephane Mallarme’s poem with the same title. While Mallarme’s poetry is filled with symbols and mystery, I decided to use my personal understanding of the poem “Apparition” as the structural guide for the piece. The piece starts with a rather mysterious and dark monologue in the bass clarinet, which sets the mood for the entrance of harp and flute. A transition with floating yet pulsating tones in the clarinet and flute leads into the central section of the piece, where all three instruments engage in a rather intense and animated dialogue. However, an unexpected shift in the musical gestures brings the climax of the piece to a sudden halt, depicting the baffling vision described in the poetry. The piece comes to an end with a rather atmospheric final section that recalls some of the gestures and motives from the opening lines of the bass clarinet, now further expanded by the flute and harp.

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