Rain Songs

Rain Songs
Composed by Larry Barnes
For flute (or alto flute), harp, and Andean rain stick (If rain stick is not available, wind chimes may be substituted.)
Published by Alry Publications
Includes score and part

“Rain Songs has been named “one of the truly great works for flute and harp” by the Jefferson Duo, for whom the work was commissioned. Its title and mood is inpired by the sound of the Andean rain stick, which is performed by the harpist at the outset and end of the work. The movements follow the Baroque sonata tradition of slow-fast-slow-fast, the first two mysterious and the last two lyrical. In the opening movement, the quiet rain stick accompanies a slowly unwinding alto flute melody, dark and misterioso, as the unwinding flute melody takes off into the upper register. The mood turns from mysterious to lyrical in the floating third movement, and the last Rain Song is to be played “in the manner of a primitive dance,” before reaching a climax that spirals down to the opening sounds and slowly dies away.” — Larry Barnes