The well-crafted Suite for Two Flutes, by Hoover, was impressive. The whirling motive of the Presto movement demanded attention.
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Sound Bytes
Alternate Tile(s):
Sound Bytes For Two Flutes
Composed:
1990
Dedicated:
to the memory of Thomas Nyfenger
Premiered:
by the composer and Bonita Boyd at the National Flute Association Convention, Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 1991
Audience Notes:
Sound Bytes is a group of six light pieces for two flutes. Some of the movements explore sounds and colors particularly effective on the instrument, while others poke fun at contemporary cliches.
- K. Hoover.
Duration:
00:11:00
Movements:
Get Up is a be-bop tune with four short courses.
Thirds contains a certain kind of disjunct, fast writing that flutists have seen ad nauseum the past twenty years.
Short Circuit 'Minimalis Interruptus' is a rather personal look at minimalism.
Invention whose form is that of the Bach Inventions, exploits the swift double-tongue possible on the flute, from its low register bee-buzzing sound to the brilliant notes.
Johnny Two-Note is written entirely on D and A-flat, using varied colors, dynamics, ranges, and other effects.
In Flight explores the sweeping and darting of flight using virtuosic runs, trills, tremolos, and harmonics.
Having played flute for many years, I did much of my earliest composing for the instrument. These five short movements explore various effects and sonorities, and different ways of combining the voices. This last is particularly evident in Movement III, Vivo, where the main line sweeps from voice to voice, and the open fifths constantly switch voice and register. I also had fun with the fourth movement, Largo, which is a musical palindrome, like the word "radar"; in other words it is the same backward as forward.
- K. Hoover.
