Description
Headwaters
Composed by Peter Senchuk
For low flute ensemble
Published by Forest Glade Music
Duration: ca. 8 minutes
Includes score and parts
Instrumentation:
3 Alto Flutes
2 Bass Flute
Contrabass Flute
Sub-Contrabass Flute (Optional)
When I was asked by the National Flute Association Low Flutes Committee to compose a piece to be premiered in Minneapolis, MN, I wanted to use an extra musical idea inspired by the city or the region. I decided I would like to highlight the geographic location of Minnesota and I remembered that the headwaters of the Mississippi River are located 200 miles north of Minneapolis at Lake Itasca.
The piece opens very simply and softly with sustained melodic entrances that create peaceful sounding chords that represent the lake waters which form the river's humble beginnings. As the piece develops from these opening intervals, it continues to grow and build with melodic and rhythmic complexity. This building of intensity represents how the waters of the Mississippi River grow from the humble beginnings at Lake Itasca into the mighty river that has shaped so much of the history of the country.
Headwaters was commissioned in 2017 by the National Flute Association's Low Flute Committee – Ali Ryerson, chair. It was premiered at the National Flute Association Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
–Peter Senchuk