Suite for Baroque Flute D’amore and Harpsichord

For baroque flute d’amore (or baroque flute in C) and harpsichord. Duration - 18 minutes.

French harpsichord suites of the baroque period often featured colorful names for movements – often quite fantastical (“The Mysterious Barricades”, “The March of the Scythians”). I honor that history here, with titles both descriptive and suggestive.

The story begins with a “Prologue,” of course. “The World Turned Upside Down” uses fragments of a Revolutionary War-era tune, also a time of uncertainty and toxicity. “Tree of Life” was written the day of the synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “Crude Imitation” is literal, featuring imitation in unison in increasingly tighter stretto. “Autumnal” is easy-going but with a slight chill that seems to fit the season. Finally, “More Perfect” relates a hope for progress in the unfinished project of our nation and world.

This suite was commissioned by Leighann Daihl Ragusa for herself and her new flute d’amore made by Martin Wenner. The instrument is a copy of an original by F. Haupt, c. 1750.

Movements:
I. Prologue
II. The World Turned Upside Down
III. Tree of Life
IV. Crude Imitation
V. Autumnal
VI. More Perfect

Commissioned by Leighann Daihl Ragusa (pictured above with harpsichordist Charles Metz).