Mower, M :: Opus di Jazz

Written in 1997 as a ‘sequel’ to Sonata Latino, Mike Mower’s Opus di Jazz is a major sonata for flute and piano. A three movement work of 15 minute’s length, it has been highly acclaimed as an approachable, entertaining and above all playable work which is guaranteed to liven up any concert or recital.

In three movements - Cartoons, Ballade, and Bluebop - the Opus di Jazz explores numerous aspects of both classical and jazz ideas through the lens of the flute virtuoso.

The movements:

1. Cartoons (Shuffle): All composers need somewhere to start when writing something like a flute sonata, and Mower used old melody of his which was originally a demo for a cartoon series. In a 12/8 shuffle feel, it gives room for quick flute lines, with a big stride piano contribution at the end of the movement.

2. Ballad: This sonata is an integrated work for both instruments rather than a flute piece with piano accompaniment, and this movement features the piano. The piano solo is a homage to the great Bill Evans and the following flute solo flows in the same style. There is a quasi-classical treatment of the flute cadenza which leads back to the head.

3. Bluebop: As its name suggests, this is a blues treated with various be-bop and hard-bop chord changes. It starts with 3 choruses of unison ‘improvisation’ before the flute leads into the head with a chorus of walking. Eventually the structure digresses a little, with the piano entering the realms of McCoy Tyner. A cameo appearance of the first movement theme leads to the finale unison line, ending with a bluesy flute cadenza.

For advanced players.