What's New
EVENTIDE SOLILOQUY PREMIERED BY
METROPOLITAN FLUTE FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
July 24, 2011, 5 PM, Jordan Hall, New England Conservatory
Eventide Soliloquy, by Paige Dashner Long, is an original composition that features each instrument of the flute family in a musical soliloquy. The piece showcases the
beautiful colors of a flute orchestra as well as each different type of flute, in a variety
of musical styles. Scored for piccolo, concert flutes 1-4, alto flute, bass flute with
optional contrabass flute, this new work is a great addition to flute choir repertoire and
is published by Falls House Press.
The inspiration and dedication of this piece is in loving memory of Sean Callan MacDonald, the composer’s son, who died unexpectedly August, 2010. Eventide Soliloquy is Sean's life in song. Life begins during a swirling January snowstorm as the alto flutes play a beautiful, gentle melody. The bass flutes answer in response before the entire ensemble joins in the beginning theme. The opening theme consists of the musical letters of Sean's name (E- A perfect 4th interval) Next, you will hear a very happy, bright theme, as you imagine an energetic child, Sean, skipping along enjoying life. As this allegro theme, gently slows, the contrabass/bass flute plays a mournful melody, depicting the sadness of a young teenager being diagnosed with a difficult disease, type 1 diabetes. Eight bars later, the piccolo enters the dialogue of the contrabass/bass soliloquy with a beautiful obbligato melody on top of the contrabass. These are tears of a mother, crying for her son. But, we get on with life and make the most of the precious time we have together. Next enters a jazzy blues section where you can see Sean smile and picture him improvising on his trombone. As the jazz slows, another beautiful melodic soliloquy, played by the concert flute and inspired by one of Sean’s favorite Mussorgsky themes, ends the work with a very calm and gentle melody, as Sean was such a gentle spirit.
Trained as a classical trombonist, music educator and jazz musician, Sean had a great sense of humor and a sparkling wit, with an amazing repertoire of original silly songs. He inspired hundreds of young musicians through his creative teaching approaches and lively performances. This piece celebrates Sean’s life, just as his presence here with us has touched our hearts. The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, in summer residence at New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts, premiered Eventide Soliloquy during the 10th anniversary season of the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival. On July 24, 2011, at 5:00pm, in New England Conservatory’s historic Jordan Hall, the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra performed the premiere of Eventide Soliloquy. This is so fitting as Sean performed many concerts on the Jordan Hall stage during his brief life, as well as attending his mother’s concerts in Jordan Hall.
The cover picture of the Falls House Press publication is a moon rise over Flagler Beach in Florida, one of Sean’s favorite beaches.
At the end of the piece, the piccolo has an option of playing the final B an octave lower. If choosing the higher B, one might try the following optional fingering, which is very stable and easy to control. LH 1,2,3 RH 1,2,3 No L thumb or R pinky. Optional beginning ends at the third beat of measure 8. The work can simply begin with the alto flute solo at the pick up to measure 9.
Respighi’s Passo mezzo e Mascherada
From Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1
Arranged for flute ensemble by Paige Dashner Long
Respighi’s Mascherada from Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1 is now available for
flute ensemble, published by Falls House Press. The arrangement, premiered on
July 25, 2010 by the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival
Orchestra in New England Conservatory’s renowned Jordan Hall, is scored for Flute 1,
Flute 2, Flute 3, Flute 4, Flute 5, Alto Flute and Bass Flute, with optional Contrabass
Flute.
Ottorino Respighi (Bologna 1879- Rome 1936) was fascinated with early lute music, studying in particular the transcribed works of Oscar Chilesotti (1848-1916). Chilesotti transcribed several sixteenth and seventeenth century dances and airs for the lute. Respighi, a scholar of musical antiquity, choose several of these lovely ancient airs and dances, making three suites, each comprised of four movements. Using modern harmonies and orchestration, Respighi beautifully crafted these suites for chamber orchestra, each receiving enthusiastic response from audience and musicians. With a simple melodic line and rich orchestration, Respighi’s unique talent and skill are showcased in these spirited compositions.
Passo mezzo e Mascherada from Ancient Airs and Dances Suite No 1 is the fourth movement of his delightful first suite. You will notice two contrasting sections: a fast paced passo mezzo and a light Italian 16th century secular choral song (villanella) or mascherada, which was typically sung at masked balls.
With careful attention to dynamic contrast, articulation and tempi changes, Passo mezzo e Mascherada beautifully showcases the different colors of a flute ensemble.
Welcome to the masquerade ball!
METROPOLITAN FLUTE ORCHESTRA
and
FLORIDA FLUTE ORCHESTRA
Performed during 2011 National Flute Association Convention
in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Metropolitan Flute Orchestra, in summer residence at New England Conservatory, performed on Saturday, August 13 during the National Flute Association (NFA) Convention in Charlotte, NC. At 7:00pm in the lobby of the Belk Theater in Charlotte, the ensemble, directed by Paige Dashner Long, presented “Goin’ Coastal from Boston to Miami” performing works by Respighi, Long and Beethoven.
During this same concert, The Florida Flute Orchestra, also directed by Long, presented Beach Music by award winning composer Catherine McMichael and then joined the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra to perform the first movement, Poco sostenuto-vivace, from Beethoven’s 7th Symphony in A Major.
Director Paige Dashner Long, coordinator of the newly formed NFA Flute Choir Composition Committee and member of the NFA Low Flutes Committee, also led a low flute technique class, Down Deep with Low Flutes, on Friday, August 12 from 9:30-10:30am in the Convention Center.
Metropolitan flutists who performed in Charlotte are:
METROPOLITAN FLUTE ORCHESTRA
In summer residence at New England Conservatory
Paige Dashner Long, director
Piccolo: Mary Ellen Kregler
Concert Flute: Sallie Brainard, Kathy Craven, Vicki High, Phyllis Howard, Elise
Locker, Mariellen Sears, Gretchen Schlier, Lindsey Sherman, April Showers
Alto Flute in G: Hannah Bitterman, Debbie MacMurray, Judith Sammel, Mary Sand,
Susan Schueller
Bass Flute: Jeremy Benson, Kelly Gallivan, Serge Paul Emile, Carol Peabody
Contrabass Flute: Earl Grant Lawrence, Jay V. Kast-Tuttle, Sue Blessing, Phyllis Avidan Louke,
Martin Melicharek, Paul Scherr
Sub Contrabass Flute in G: Sharyn Byer, Jennifer Kramer
Double Contrabass Flute: Paige Dashner Long
Percussion: Robert McCormick
Florida flutists who performed in Charlotte are:
Florida Flute Orchestra
Paige Dashner Long, director
Piccolo: Tereasa Payne
Concert Flute: Cindy Bruce, Nora Lee Garcia Velazquez, Amanda Lyon, Kim
McCormick, Tammara K. Phillips, Irene Pruzan, April Showers
Alto Flute in G: Susan Adragna, Amy Clark, Nancy Cobun Clew, Debbie MacMurray,
Cathi Marro, Christine Smith
Bass Flute: Carl Adams, Jeremy Benson, Sarah B. Fouse, Lindsay Hager, Martha
Oestreich, Virginia Schulze Johnson
Contrabass Flute: Jessey Howard Andris, Phyllis Avidan Louke
Sub Contrabass Flute in G: Karen McLaughlin Large
Double Contrabass Flute: Paige Dashner Long
Percussion: Robert McCormick
For information about the Metropolitan Flute Orchestra and the 11th Annual New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Orchestra Festival, please contact director Paige Long at contraflute@gmail.com or follow the prompts for Summer School Institutes and Intensives at www.necmusic.edu