Description
Spellbound
(Emily Bronte)
Poem without Words for Low Flute Choir
Composed by Daniel Kessner (2017)
Published by Theodore Front Musical Literature
Duration: c. 8 minutes
Includes score and parts
Instrumentation:
Alto Flutes I, II, III
Bass Flutes I, II
Contrabass Flute
Commissioned by the National Flute Assoication Low Flutes Committee
Premiere: 46th NFA Convention, Orlando, Florida
The point of departure for this piece was Emily Bronte's powerful poem of the same name. In general, this work is conceived so that each of the three movements represents a prelude to each of the three stanzas of the poem, followed by music representing the stanza itself. The only musical references to specific words in the poem are “settings” of the refrain: “And I cannot, cannot go.” – meas. 56-59; “And yet I cannot go.” – meas. 107-109 & 117-119; “I will not, cannot go.” – meas. 260-265. The complete poem is included.
A larger ensemble is preferred, though the piece can be performed with one on a part.
The score is transposed: Alto Flutes sound a perfect 4th lower than written, Bass Flutes sound an octave lower, Contrabasses sound two octaves lower.