SKU: P2.10022

The third part of the Chthonic Flute Suite commissioned by Areon Flutes in 2012. This suite has two main inspirations: ideologically it draws guidance from the book The Dream and the Underworld (1979)by James Hillman (1926-2011) and musically it explores the textural possibilities of a flute ensemble within the context of the heavy chamber music style I have developed with Edmund Welles: the bass clarinet quartet since 1996. This style draws virtuosic precision from the classical realm; innovation and texture from jazz; and power, rhythm and overall perspective from rock and metal. The term chthonic [thon-ik] generally means underworld. However, Hillman thoroughly elaborates that its true meaning extends below the earth and beyond it into invisible, non-physical and far distant psychic realms: the deeper mysteries of the invisible. The trio is divided into three sections: The Way We Descend--Reflection of Narcissus--Below Nature. Taking a break from Greek myth-nerd terms, this movement introduces chthonic-flavored phrases that elaborate on our descent into the underworld, specifically through dreams. The realm of the underworld can be such a shock to our dayworld, limited, egoic consciousness that it can seem like a violation as Hillman points out, referencing the Greeks: This style of the underworld experience is overwhelming, it comes as violation, dragging one out of life and into the Kingdom that the Orphic Hymn to Pluto describes as 'void of day.' So it often says on Greek epitaphs that entering Hades is 'leaving the sweet sunlight.' (p.49) He elaborates on the differences between dayworld and underworld perspectives: The dream is not compensation but initiation. It does not complete ego-consciousness, but voids it. So it matters very much the way we descend. (p.112) He goes on to describe the various modes in which mythical figures have descended: Ulysses and Aenas to learn; Hercules to take and to test, for example. To act like Hercules, like the hero, in the underworld is to miss the point and cause more problems, the villain in the underworld is the heroic ego, not Hades. (p.113).

SKU: IG.PMS122

9 x 12 in inches.

For Piano.
By Vladimir Nikolov

Flashes is a collection of twelve miniature pieces for solo piano, composed in several stages over a long period of time.

Each one of these pieces illustrates an independent story and mood and is written with a different approach to the piano. All of the stories are products of instant moments of creativity that gradually became depictions of everyday life events, places and revelations that occurred during the process of writing. Many times this process became the story itself, thus the source of light evolved into its own reflection.

Styles vary from classical, post-impressionist to jazz and minimal through organic compositional structure.

Titles Include:
First Etude for Piano
Sun - trine - Moon
Last Etude for Piano
Distance
Bit Bang
Wednesday Afternoon
Game
Skopje
Reflection...(on Caress)
Prelude to Still Life
The Third Day
'Round Midday.

SKU: CA.3118419

ISBN 9790007134235. Key: G major / e minor. Language: German/English.

The Pentecost cantata Desired ray of light BWV 184 is based on a Kothen composition, probably a congratulatory cantata, whose instrumental parts (only these have survived) Bach reused in the Leipzig Pentecost cantata. Only the chorale setting was evidently newly composed. Despite the narrow leeway that the already finished composition left for the librettist, he nevertheless succeeded in crafting a coherent Pentecost text. The fact that the cantata begins with a long tenor accompagnato with two flutes followed by a pastoral duet is surprising. The placing of the chorale not at the end of the work but before the concluding chorus is unusual. Bach was evidently aware of the effect that the ending of this lively movement would have and wanted to retain this in its sacred form as well. The sacred version was first performed on the third day of Pentecost in 1724, probably after a parody version of another Kothen cantata (BWV 173) had already been performed on the second day of Pentecost. Score and parts available separately - see item CA.3118400.