Flora (DIGITAL)
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$19.00
$19.00
per item
Composer: Robert McClure
Duration: 11:00
Scoring: alto saxophone and tenor saxophone
Materials: two performance scores (8.5 x 11)
*This item is a PDF-download. Digital downloads are non-refundable. The purchase of this item entitles you to download, save, and print one copy of this file for private use. The purchase of this PDF file does not include the conveyance of copyright. You do not have the right to distribute this material to any third party, by any means. The copyright holder maintains all rights over their intellectual property. By submitting your order you demonstrate your acknowledgment of, and agreement to, these conditions.
Duration: 11:00
Scoring: alto saxophone and tenor saxophone
Materials: two performance scores (8.5 x 11)
*This item is a PDF-download. Digital downloads are non-refundable. The purchase of this item entitles you to download, save, and print one copy of this file for private use. The purchase of this PDF file does not include the conveyance of copyright. You do not have the right to distribute this material to any third party, by any means. The copyright holder maintains all rights over their intellectual property. By submitting your order you demonstrate your acknowledgment of, and agreement to, these conditions.
Program Note
Flora is a set of six miniatures written for Jacob Swanson and Sarah Marchitelli of the Decho Ensemble. Each movement explores characteristics of a different plant or flower. Each was chosen to correspond with either a primary or secondary color. Ever since moving back to the United States, my wife has filled our house and garden with plants. I have becoming increasingly interested in how beautiful and weird plants can be.
I. Passiflora alata (Red Passion Flower)
The opening motive is a musical translation of the word “alata.” This gesture is used throughout the movement. This flower is a burst of red against green leaves and this idea of bursting informed the musical treatment.
II. Salvia divinorum (Sage of the Diviner)
This hallucinogenic plant has delicate, fibrous flowers surrounded by pale, violet calyces (outermost part that forms a flower). Microtones and multiphonics contribute to the hazy melodic and intervallic writing.
III. Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
This stunning orange flower is named so due to its resemblance to several species of the Bird of Paradise family. Several bird calls were used to form the musical material in the piece including the Goldie Bird of Paradise, the Pale-Billed Sickle Bill, the Greater Bird of Paradise, and the Magnificent Bird of Paradise.
IV. Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass)
This green grass grows in gentle areas in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms large underwater meadows. This idea of sea grass slowly pulsing in the waves formed the core concept of the miniature. It has been discovered in the last few decades sea grass’s importance due to its high carbon absorption as climate change grips our planet.
V. Rotheca myricoides (Blue Butterfly Bush)
These flowers have delicate blue petals and arched stamens that resembles a butterfly in flight. My mental image was the flower, perfectly in focus, while butterflies slowly hovered and danced around it in slow-motion.
VI. Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Having lived in Arizona previously, I fell in love with flowering cacti. This cactus only develops small, bright yellow flowers after about 20 years. The needle-like petals surround densely-packed yellow stamens.
— Robert McClure
I. Passiflora alata (Red Passion Flower)
The opening motive is a musical translation of the word “alata.” This gesture is used throughout the movement. This flower is a burst of red against green leaves and this idea of bursting informed the musical treatment.
II. Salvia divinorum (Sage of the Diviner)
This hallucinogenic plant has delicate, fibrous flowers surrounded by pale, violet calyces (outermost part that forms a flower). Microtones and multiphonics contribute to the hazy melodic and intervallic writing.
III. Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
This stunning orange flower is named so due to its resemblance to several species of the Bird of Paradise family. Several bird calls were used to form the musical material in the piece including the Goldie Bird of Paradise, the Pale-Billed Sickle Bill, the Greater Bird of Paradise, and the Magnificent Bird of Paradise.
IV. Posidonia oceanica (Neptune Grass)
This green grass grows in gentle areas in the Mediterranean Sea. It forms large underwater meadows. This idea of sea grass slowly pulsing in the waves formed the core concept of the miniature. It has been discovered in the last few decades sea grass’s importance due to its high carbon absorption as climate change grips our planet.
V. Rotheca myricoides (Blue Butterfly Bush)
These flowers have delicate blue petals and arched stamens that resembles a butterfly in flight. My mental image was the flower, perfectly in focus, while butterflies slowly hovered and danced around it in slow-motion.
VI. Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Having lived in Arizona previously, I fell in love with flowering cacti. This cactus only develops small, bright yellow flowers after about 20 years. The needle-like petals surround densely-packed yellow stamens.
— Robert McClure
Reproduction Notice:
This program note may be freely reproduced in concert programs, provided that proper credit is given to the composer.
This program note may be freely reproduced in concert programs, provided that proper credit is given to the composer.