This is the first piece I composed for my friend and colleague, flutist Andrew Bolotowsky. He is the bluebird. The piano accompaniment is the mantis. It has a few melodic quotes embedded in it, including “Nearer My God To Thee”. The accompaniment uses three chords and the overall feeling is gentleness. It was composed in 1979.
It was released on a CD entitled The Praying Mantis and the Bluebird which included solos and chamber music for flutes/shakuhachi, ocarina, MSR 1434 (73:57)
Beth Anderson is a composer of new romantic music, text-sound works, and music theater events. Her early work was considered post-Cagian, non-academic but the music became more lyrical while retaining the cut-up quality of the minimalists. She organized a festival of women’s music at Mills College in 1974, co-hosted the Meet The Women Composers series at the New School in 1976 and has been organizing Women’s Work 2004-2014. She edited EAR MAGAZINE from 1973-79 in both California and New York. Her all-Beth Anderson recordings are out on MSR Classics (THE PRAYING MANTIS AND THE BLUEBIRD) Albany (QUILT MUSIC), New World (SWALES & ANGELS), and Pogus (PEACHY KEEN-O). AMERICAN WOMEN: Modern Voices In Piano Music recorded by Nancy Boston includes SEPTEMBER SWALE. POINTS OF ENTRY:The Laurels Project Vol. I has COMMENT for flute solo (based on a poem by Dorothy Parker) on Capstone CD (CPS-8759) performed by Nina Assimakopoulos. Soprano Melanie Mitrano recorded LULLABY and BEAUTY RUNS FASTER for her CD on Capstone CPS-8756. Opus One has released “REVEL”, with the Richmond Symphony and “MINNESOTA SWALE” with the Bratislava Radio Orchestra.
To listen to a recording of “The Praying Mantis and the Bluebird” visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wamsk7yW8c
To watch a performance of “The Praying Mantis and the Bluebird” visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMr3wmfEtcA
For more information, or to purchase the score ($10), please email: beth@beand.com
And, to explore more of Beth Anderson’s music visit: www.beand.com
What a gorgeous piece.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. If you want a copy just ask. “beth@beand.com”