Schnyder, D :: The Four Elements

Earth, Water, Air and Fire are the four elements reflected in Daniel Schnyder's work for flute and piano. Mankind has always been fascinated but, at the same time, intimidated by these four elements. Even if they can be brutal and deadly we cannot live without them. No one can sail without wind, breathe without air, cook without fire or drink without water.

Gaia, the first movement of the suite, is dedicated to mother earth. The music rotates slowly in somewhat hidden loops of thirteen beats; later the planet starts to spin faster in measures of 7 beats, reflecting on the somewhat unpredictable laws of nature.

Kyklos Aquae, the cycle of water, characterizes the element of water and life and its most astonishing transformations. In this movement we experience water in all its forms, from ice to vapor to drops and streams.

Aulos tells us the story of the air. Invisible by nature, it appears to us as a revelation of sound. The wind blows and we can hear it; the flute plays and air transforms into sweet music.

Fire has many songs to its name. It is the element we stole from the gods. We cannot live without it anymore but it has, by the same token, a destructive, angry quality if untamed. Fire belongs to the gods and they did not want to share it with us humans for good reason: war and global warming are reminding us every day of the destructive, unpredictable force that belongs to this most powerful and wild element.

For advanced players.