Description
The Hourglass
by Mark Whitefield
for solo alto flute (or concert flute)
The Hourglass is a piece cast in four movements. It draws its inspiration from the myth and legend of the romantic ruined fortress of Tintagel on the Cornish coast. Musically speaking the four movememnts are mainly tonal in character with a light undercurrent of a melancholic longing which ebbs and flows as the music progresses. Rhythmically the music has a certain syncopated feel, which adds elements of apprehension, excitement and anticipation to the musical discourse.