Amplified Miniature Etudes

Programme Note

Amplified Miniature Études is a set of four very short movements for flute, alto saxophone and piano. Each movement is based bar-for-bar on a corresponding étude for solo flute – a collection of which, at the time of writing this programme note, is currently in progress. The flute études are all contrapuntal, in that they use the single line played by the flute to imply multiple musical lines simultaneously. In the trio version, the counterpoint that was implicit becomes explicit, perhaps most overtly in the canonic imitation between flute and saxophone in the final movement. The trio version also adds layers to the textures, enriches the harmony, and intensifies the contrasts between materials – in a non-acoustic sense amplifying them.

Year: 2025
Duration: 6′
Instrumentation: Flute, Alto Saxophone, Piano

Performances

7th July 2025
Vista Trio
MATCH, Houston, Texas