Program Notes for The Flute Examiner
“Flocks” for flute quartet (3 flutes, 2 doubling piccolo, 1 alto flute) by Marilyn Bliss
I believe flutists getting together to play with other flutists is one of the most joyful musical experiences there is. In this quartet, the registers expand from piccolos at the top down to an alto flute, all enjoying their experience of becoming birds in flight, and dancing in a waltz rhythm in the middle of the piece. For flute quartet, Flocks 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.
To watch Vox Venti Flute Quartet’s performance of “Flocks” visit:
The score is available at: composers.com/products/bliss-flocks?variant=45479266222300 ($50.50 print; $33.50 PDF)
For a perusal score, click here.
For more information, please contact marilyn@marilynbliss.com. And, to explore more of Marilyn Bliss’s music visit: http://marilynbliss.com