Compass Kaleidoscope - Noten für Holzbläserquintett Andrea Clearfield

COMPASS KALEIDOSCOPE

I. Compass Kaleidoscope
II. Old Maid's Ramble
III. Mexican Rose
IV. Bleeding Hearts
V. Windblown Square

Besetzung
Querflöte
Oboe
Klarinette in B
Horn in F
Fagott

Program Notes
Compass Kaleidoscope was commissioned by the Pennsylvania Quintet in celebration of their 30 Year Anniversary.

I wanted to write a work for this ensemble, comprised of Penn State faculty members, on a theme relating to Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is noted for its longtime quilt making arts, a tradition started in the early 1800's by Amish and Mennonite women in Lancaster county.

Each of the five movements of the quintet is inspired by a different traditional quilt pattern chosen by a member of the quintet. The musical materials were derived from the geometric shapes, color palette, arrangement of blocks, the name of the design and traditional folk melodies. Some of the compositional choices were informed by my synesthesia where colors are associated with particular musical pitches.

The premiere took place at Penn State University, Esber Recital Hall on April 12, 2015. I wish to thank the Copland House and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts for providing invaluable time and space to create this work.
(Andrea Clearfield)