Ta'amolan (2023) – ca. 10'
flute, oboe, clarinet in B-flat, bassoon, and horn in F
PROGRAM NOTE
Ta’amolan, or “two meditations” in Arabic, is a two-movement work for wind quintet inspired by a combination of the microtonally-inflected maqamat heard in Arab music, rhythmic hocketing from Subsaharan Africa, and the five main voices that reflect the pitch organization of the Banda-Linda wooden horn ensembles heard in Central Africa. The first “meditation” is relentless in its pursuit of landing on grounded harmonies, though it never quite does so until its first and final cadence about five minutes into the movement. The second “meditation” is quite the opposite in terms of affect: slow, contemplative, and bare. The chords that never quite materialized in the first movement are now heard with much more clarity.
This work was commissioned by the Imani Winds Foundation, Inc. The world premiere performance was given by the Imani Winds on June 16, 2023 at the Harlem School of the Arts in New York, NY.
This work was commissioned by the Imani Winds Foundation, Inc. The world premiere performance was given by the Imani Winds on June 16, 2023 at the Harlem School of the Arts in New York, NY.
Exclusivity Period: This work is under performance and recording exclusivity until January 8, 2026. On and after this date, other ensembles may perform and/or record this work.