Music for Kites

PROGRAM NOTE:

Music for Kites was composed at the request of flutist Rebecca Ashe while we were both undergraduates at the Eastman School of Music. The “kites” of the title (which was suggested by Rebecca) are of two types: synthetic (as in those made and flown for pleasure) and natural (birds of prey). In composing this work, which is in a modified sonata form, I abstracted these two definitions into affective states that are contrasted with each other (as the first and second thematic groups) and are united in the recapitulation. To a certain extent the music for the two instruments embodies these contrasting affections, as well, with the guitar more rational, considered, and the flute more impetuous, spontaneous.