McDonald, JD :: All Together Now: Suite of Six Pieces in Some Kind of Unison

All Together Now: Suite of Six Pieces in Some Kind of Unison

McDonald, JD

John D. McDonald presents All Together Now: Suite of Six Pieces in Some Kind of Unison, for two flutes and piano.

From the composer:

'When Su Tan asked me to consider writing something for her to play with Carol Wincenc for a recital and recording project I was excited and intimidated. AFter some thought, I settled on the idea of a making the present suite in which every short piece proceeds in some sort of strict rhythmic unison. What could I do with this somewhat severe limitation?

I try in 'Declamatory' to act in overture mode, creating a fanfare from rhythmic quirks and registral contrasts. 'Clean Andante' uses outdoor-sounding phrases of varying lengths to create a pastoral abstract. 'Rockport Preoccupation' takes it energetic impetus from the Cape Ann, Massachusetts town, offering an interpreted glimpse of this seaside destination and its granite quarries. 'Tranquillo' relies on simple sonorities and low flutes to create a deep calm, while 'Scherzino: Fives and Threes' posits a verse form made of five-note phrases in fifths and three-note phrases in thirds. As an afterthought, 'Working by Subtraction' concludes the suite in an effort to find out how less might become more via the careful removal of musical elements.'