Classical Music | Music for Quartet

Recorded on 09/09/2015, uploaded on 05/12/2016

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

 I. The Hovering Falcon

 II. Legend of the Anka

 III. Flight of the Phoenix

Avian Arabesques is inspired by mythically beautiful and exotic creatures that have fueled legends of the Orient. The opening movement, “The Hovering Falcon”, starts and ends with a series of dramatic cross-motion glissandi representing the dynamic soaring and diving of the Falcon on its prey. The second movement “Legend of the Anka” has a strong oriental ambience as the harmony used is based on an Arabian mode. Long melodic lines weave their way through a labyrinth of modal arpeggios, showing the huge anka's alluring, graceful and powerful presence. The finale, “Flight of the Phoenix” is a fast moving extravaganza that represents flight of the firebird where motifs and cross rhythms are passed furiously between the players who engage in hectic conversations with sharp harmonic twists including rising and falling chromatic scales. "Avian Arabesques" was commissioned by the Royal Academy of Music Harp Department and was premiered in October 2009.                                                                                                                       Notes by Paul Patterson

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.