Flutum Mysterium

Flutum Mysterium, composed by Gary Schocker 

Commissioned by Texas Flute Society, Austin Flute Club, Coastal Bend Flute Club, Floot Fire, Flutasia Flute Choir, Flutes Unlimited Flute Choir, Houston Flute Club, University of Texas-San Antonio Flute Choir, with generous grants from Altus Flutes, the William S. Haynes Flute Company, and the Texas Commission of the Arts.

The title 'Flutum Mysterium' may be a reference to the responsorial chant 'O Magnum Mysterium'. The first movement, “Stained Glass”, is in the style of Gregorian chant, music of the church. Second movement, “Wind”, in contrast, is rhythmic and angular, interspersed with sweeping ascending and descending rapid runs (the wind). 

Flutum Mysterium has a certain essence of ancient music in it, hence its title which is a riff on O magnum mysterium”. The first half sounds like church music but the second half is purely pagan.

Scored for 3 Piccolos, 4 C Flutes (flute 1 divisi, flute 2, flute 3), 2 Alto Flutes (one part, divisi), Bass Flute