Bassingthwaighte, S :: Amhran na hEascainne [Song of the Eel]

Alry Publications presents Sarah Bassingthwaighte's 'Amhran na hEascainne' [Song of the Eel] for solo C flute or alto flute with optional drone.

Notes by the composer: 'Amhran na hEascainne' (Song of the Eel) is based on the old Irish song of the same name. My introduction to this song came in the form of Sean-nos, a style of unaccompanied Irish vocal music. This piece can be performed in a few ways: as a solo C-flute piece, as a solo alto flute piece, and either of those with a drone. The drone itself can be done a number of ways. If it's a one-note drone, then any E will work (lower than the flute is optimal). If possible, a two-note drone is even better, and should be E and B, (again lower than the flute is best). The drones could be played by a keyboard, by a cellist, by other flutists (as in a flute choir performance), or other possibilities that I haven't thought of.

The style of this piece is very free, expressive, improvisatory, and dramatic. Most of the barlines have been removed to help prevent a strong sense of pulse. There are a small number of extended techniques for the solo C-flute version, including pitch bends and color tones.'