Bagatelles (2016)
for flute/alto flute, cello and piano
Written for the Nu:BC Collective
Duration: 16 min
1. the palest of blues
2. rondino
3. elixir
4. still waters
5. togetherness
6. rhythm study no. 1
Ever enamoured of short forms, in composing Bagatelles for the Nu:BC Collective I turned once again to my favourite musical structure: a collection of multiple brief movements. The six pieces that form the larger work are contrasting in character, exploring unusual timbral colours, extended harmonies, lyricism, rhythmic pulse and whimsy.
The Ravel-esque opening movement entitled “the palest of blues” features a solitary blue note, followed by the second movement “rondino”, a mosaic of fragments that create a constantly shifting texture over largely static harmonies. In “elixir”, a mesmerizing C# piano drone gradually draws in the other two instruments like moths to a flame, with the fourth movement, “still waters”, offering in response a lyrical and introspective meditation. “togetherness” is a light scherzo-like movement that plays with the concept of togetherness (or not) of timbre, rhythm and gesture among the diverse instruments of the ensemble. The set closes with “rhythm study no. 1”, a tongue in cheek title that refers to a classical musician’s brief exploration of that compelling phenomenon called ‘groove’.