Fire Incantations
Commissioned by TubaCOR 2013
Program Notes
Fire has a mysterious quality that captures our interest. Children are perplexed by the elegant flame that rises from a burning match, and adults regard fire as a powerful force to fear and respect.
Fire Incantations was written to illustrate these mystical qualities. Like a collection of spells welcoming some supernatural force, each movement of Fire Incantations was written to portray the character of a different color of flame. There is a subtle curiosity associated with Candlelight, a passionate vitality in Blue Fire, and White Light exposes a soft-spoken calm. Alchemist’s Flame depicts the intoxicating danger of a science embedded with magical undertones, performed in the dark with fiber optic lighting. After this intense display, Red Embers is intentionally subdued, allowing the piece to conclude in the warm colors associated with firelight.
Sharing the stage, musicians and dancer together cast an atmosphere of energy and heat. Slinky bodily movements akin to a developing flame are paired with driving tempo and jolting dissonances. Gentle breath-like gestures are danced alongside delicate arpeggiation in the piano. And, the rage of fortissimo brass resonates while green light outlines the dancer’s form, elusive and enchanting.
These are the conjurings of flame and heat, the spells and enchantments of mystical powers. Fire Incantations.
Fire Incantations was written to illustrate these mystical qualities. Like a collection of spells welcoming some supernatural force, each movement of Fire Incantations was written to portray the character of a different color of flame. There is a subtle curiosity associated with Candlelight, a passionate vitality in Blue Fire, and White Light exposes a soft-spoken calm. Alchemist’s Flame depicts the intoxicating danger of a science embedded with magical undertones, performed in the dark with fiber optic lighting. After this intense display, Red Embers is intentionally subdued, allowing the piece to conclude in the warm colors associated with firelight.
Sharing the stage, musicians and dancer together cast an atmosphere of energy and heat. Slinky bodily movements akin to a developing flame are paired with driving tempo and jolting dissonances. Gentle breath-like gestures are danced alongside delicate arpeggiation in the piano. And, the rage of fortissimo brass resonates while green light outlines the dancer’s form, elusive and enchanting.
These are the conjurings of flame and heat, the spells and enchantments of mystical powers. Fire Incantations.
Program Notes by Amber Gudaitis