Description
Da Chara (Two Friends)
Composed by Ian Krouse
For flute and guitar
Published by Peer Music Classical
Includes score and parts
Duration: 6 minutes
“Da Chara, Gaelic for “two friends,” is one of a growing series of pieces I have written in the traditional Irish style. It was commissioned by a guitarist Anisa Angarola and flutist Valarie King of Object d'art, who premiered it on a 1984 CD release entitled “Pastorale” (Lissadell Music). Written in a form largely inspired by Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains, it begins with a flute air in free style. This is followed by another air in 3/4 time, played first by the guitar alone, then with the flute. The original air returns as a march, which gradually picks up energy until it bubbles over into a wild reel. At the end of the reel, the first air makes a final appearance as a cantus firums in the guitar while the flute continues to spin wild variations above. Though all the melodies are “original” in the sense that they were not borrowed from traditional sources, they were intended to be taken for authenic Irish melodies.” — Ian Krouse