Suite

Suite for Alto Flute and Piano by David Maxwell

1. For Hallie and James
2. For Desmond
3. Waltz for a Day in May
4. Papillon
5. Frolic

I wrote ‘For Hallie and James’ at the request of my stepdaughter for the event of her then upcoming marriage. As I was searching for ideas, the sound of the ocean surf, which I heard while walking my dog, suggested the mood of the piece which I jotted down upon returning from the walk. ‘For Desmond’, written to play during an evening of music with a good friend, is a flowing piece which seems to be searching for its harmonic home. The ‘Waltz for a Day in May’ is a whimsical piece which came to me one day while I was in a very light, carefree mood. ‘Papillon’, also written for an evening of music with my friend, flits about gracefully. As the other movements were coming together in a suite, I wrote ‘Frolic’ for a sprightly, light-hearted finish.