Symphony of the Hawai‘i Forests: Reflections on Ka Wai Ke Kumu Ola (2023) Full orchestraNeon Flicker (2012)
available in three different instrumentations
flute and soprano saxophone
soprano saxophone and alto saxophone
soprano saxophone and bassoon
duration: 5 minutes
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Performers:
Program Notes
(for the soprano saxophone and bassoon version)
Neon Flicker was originally written for flute and soprano saxophone duo but I rearranged the instrumentation for soprano saxophone and bassoon when given the opportunity to work with the Post-Haste Reed Duo. The piece is full of short bursts of energy that – much like an old neon-lit sign that keeps stuttering on and off unpredictably – cannot seem to find a way to stay “on” for any extended period of time. The music tries to find its footing and gain momentum, but is usually thwarted before anything can be developed significantly. The frustration is eventually relieved when the music is allowed to blossom free of interruptions, but even that moment turns out to be fleeting, and the music eventually winds down to a stuttering halt.
This piece was originally composed in 2012 for the Loeffert-Fukushima Duo, and revised and rearranged in 2014 for the Post-Haste Reed Duo. Special thanks to Javier Rodriguez for helping to edit the bassoon part.