the Rain Suite

I started this years ago but dropped it because, not having Composer then, I couldn't get the sound right. This is called Sky44 because it is in 4/4 time. To make it performable I would have to change voices or the key due to the lower notes being below range on the woodwinds.<center><table border=1><tr><td>Sky44
Sky44_A3.not (215.3 k)</td></tr></table></center>

Hello George,

This is peaceful music, indeed suggestive of the sky, perhaps viewed looking upward while lying stretched out on a grassy knoll in warm weather.

That's what happens when you name a piece with suggestive wording-- you can't anticipate where the listener will go with your suggestion. ;-)

Cheers
-- Mark

P.S. I just now noticed the title of the suite that Sky44 belongs to: "Rain Suite". We get enough rain here in Seattle, and we're just pulling out of the biggest snow mess we've had in the 26 years I've lived in this area. So, it was fantasy on my part to be looking up into rain-less sky on a warm day as I was listening to your piece.

Cheers
-- Mark

Howdy George,

Listening to your piece was a really nice lift on a very foggy day here in Bad Axe. Yes, there are beautiful skies somewhere - all I had to do was close my eyes to see (and hear) them I know your title says "Rain Suite", but to my ear, this piece sounded like the glorious sunshine after the clouds lift. Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part ;)

Your piece is an excellent example of how a small ensemble can, by trading off parts,playing off each other, and alternating note durations for the various instruments, create a very luscious sound without being distractingly busy. Absolutely beautiful

Thanks for sharing!
Sherry

Hi George,

I'm afraid I'm strange in that I don't often get specific visions from music, even programmed music. I might know what Don Juan is up to all the way through, but it gets lost in the music itself. But a lot of my favorite music is meant to evoke a story or a vision. I have enjoyed this piece several times for the melodic movement and the instrumentation.

I didn't notice any notes below the range of the flute or oboe, although Bb isn't easy, I'm told, for the oboe. The flute is pretty weak from about F5 down, but the performers would know and compensate for this, I'd think. Perhaps using two flutes for those lower notes might help, too.

A lovely piece.

all best,
mgj