Silver Fantasy

The solo flute part is for an advanced player. The ensemble parts are for medium to medium-advanced. The following program note is by Barry E. Kopetz: "Silver Fantasy" was commissioned by a consortium of nine flutists organized by Lisa A. Jelle for the purpose of encouraging the composition of new music for the flute and wind ensemble. The work captures the fluid technical potentialities of the modern flute and piccolo while sharing the musical responsibilities equally with the woodwinds brass and percussion. The first section of the piece begins with a slow somber introduction followed by a statement of the theme by the flute soloist. The theme is restated by a sequential trio of instruments beginning in the trombone moving to the horn and concluding in the trumpet. The soloist develops the theme in the following passage with light interplay between the flute part and the ensemble. Harmonies utilized include the dissonance of the minor second though scored an octave apart to soften the effect. The first section concludes with a return of the introductory material. The second section of "Silver Fantasy" is introduced by the percussion section with the timpani stating the thematic material. Upper woodwinds answer this initial statement utilizing derivative rhythmic material initially stated within the percussion section. New rhythms and intensity appears in the trumpets and trombones as the section moves toward a thematic transformation by the flute solo. The solo line borrows freely from the accompanimental material leading to a third section. This appears in a militaristic comical statement by the solo melodic line now played on the piccolo. The ensemble not wishing to miss out on the fun repeats the piccolo statement in a somewhat dissonant manner while the piccolo soloist freely executes pseudo-improvisatory figurations that brings the piece to an "Ives-like" conclusion.