Wild Riot of the Shaman’s Dreams

Inspired by Farley Mowat’s book People of the Deer and the playing of the flutist Marina Piccinini, to whom the piece is dedicated, Michael Colgrass has created a solo piece that vividly exploits the technical capabilities of an advanced level player. Full of intensity and power, as well as great lyric beauty, Wild Riot of Shaman’s Dreams describes the crazed behavior of a Ihalmiut Shaman named Kakumee, who lived in the Arctic barrens of North of Manitoba. It is a challenging piece that is an important addition to the solo flute repertoire, by a master composer.