Description
Land Meeting Sky
Four Musical Sketches of New Mexico's Landscape
Composed by Edie Hill
For flute and violoncello
Published by Hummingbird Press
Includes 2 scores
Land Meeting Sky – Program Notes
New Mexico's landscape is one of fierce, unyielding beauty. The huge expanse of land meeting sky is awesome and humbling. Upon viewing this untamed land, it is impossible to deny one's connection to the cycle of life, to past, present and future, and one cannot help but realize the real balance of things.
ZENITH is a description of the sun climbing to and descending from its peak in the sky and the waves of heat that radiate from the plains. Both flute and cello represent climbing sun and radiant heat with climbing melodies, close counterpoint and wide vibratos. After reaching the zenith, midway through the movement, a downward motion begins. The movement ends when the shape of an arch is complete.
CUMULONIMBUS deals with an approaching thunder storm that rapidly builds in intensity. The movement begins with electric breeezes, anticipating the storm. As the movement progresses, the cumulonimbus accumulates a tremendous amount of power. Both instruments mimic wild, darting winds, flashes of light and building pressure. The movement ends just before the cloud reaches its bursting point.
BLAZING TWILIGHT describes a desert sunset. The cello represents huge brush strokes of glowing color while the flute plays a longing melody of fading light.
MOON SHADOWS deals with moonlight dancing on landscape. Trills and tremolos in cello and flute act as moonlight, and melodies outline long, black moon shadows.
– Edie Hill
Contents:
I. Zenith
II. Cumulonimbus
III. Blazing Twilight
IV. Moon Shadows