alto flute

Composer's note:

Songs of Transformation, commissioned by Dr. Eugene Rogers for the Macalester College Choir, is inspired by the poetry of the 14th-century Persian poet Hâfez and the music of Hossein Omoumi.   

The first song, Kashti-ye bâdeh, is an arrangement of Professor Omoumi's original composition "Gusheh-ye Kereshmeh."  The second song "The Earth lifts its glass..," a setting of "A Crystal Rim" by the contemporary poet Daniel Ladinsky, juxtaposes the choral setting with the ney/flute solo, arranged by Hossein Omoumi.  Both texts are centered in Sufi philosophy.

Revised version, all acoustic - previous tape part reconceived for instruments

CeelyMetamir.mp3

Flocks, for flute quartet, was inspired by the annual migration of flocks of birds from their summer home in the North to their winter home in the South. The piece is loosely programmatic, beginning with the first restless urges of some, then even the most reluctant birds, to leave their northern home, through their joyful flight south -- often flying in parallel or similar motion --, to the sighting of their southern home, and finally the quiet of sleep after the long journey.

The genesis of "Lament," written in 1984, was a recollection of an early Martha Graham dance entitled Lamentation, in which the dancer sits on the floor and stretches her elastic jersey costume about her body with her feet and hands. I was impressed not only by the sad, isolated, wrenching mood of the dance, but also by its focus and its exploration of a single idea. Concurrent with this memory was a desire to write a new piece for solo flute, and a realization of the great beauty of sound that exists in the alto flute. Lament has been choreographed by Ruth Meyer, former principal, American Ballet Theater. Lament is recorded on "Airs to Charm a Lizard," Katherine Kleitz, flutist (New England Compact Disc, B0007MVHWG). Available at Amazon.com.