Piano,Soprano Flute - Level 4 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1499262
Composed by James Albert Yeager. 21st Century,Chamber,Contemporary. Score and part. 43 pages. James A. Yeager #1075315. Published by James A. Yeager (A0.1499262).
Foreword:
Each movement revisits classic paradigms— (I & II) ternary song form,(III) theme & variations. The third movement treats the two themes as children at play with games such as tag and hide-and-seek as variations. Both themes become partner songs leading to fugue, which is, after all, the ultimate musical game.
Performance Notes:
I Moderato, slurs in the flute suggest phrasing but are optional in terms of breathing. The B section at letter C has a canon between flute and piano (left-hand) which suggests imitation in articulations and dynamics. The climax just before letter D can be stretched slightly more than poco rit. implies.
II Slowly gently, must not be played slower than indicated. The middle section at letter B begins with a subito forte. At 3 measures before letter C the fermatas allow a certain freedom. When the flute releases the piano can continue the left-hand chord. The piano should use una corda in the bridge at letter C. Elsewhere, the piano may also employ una corda in quiet places ad libitum. At final note the flute can fade to nothing if breath runs out and just remain in pose as the final note of the piano is allowed to vanish.
III Majestic with vigour, two given themes from ca. 1934 are Old Abram Brown by Benjamin Britten and Kookabura Sits on the Old Gum Tree by Marion Sinclair and both are rounds for children. The flute boldly declares theme one at the outset. The piano arpeggiations begin sonorously and quiet before letter A. In Variation 1 the piano must begin softer than the low register flute. The piano left-hand upper notes [A, then G, then D-A fifth) may require use of the sostenuto pedal. Variation 2 is a caccia or chase. Variation 3 is a barcarolle where theme 1 is hiding in the flute part. Variation 4 introduces the second theme (flute) in partnership with theme 1 (piano). Four measures before letter I the piano makes an ogre of theme 2 and should be humorously ponderous. The fugue subject might be the teacher who brings everyone into the final partner song of themes. The piece finishes as it began except for a wistful ending.
James Albert Yeager (b.1946)
James began his career as organist and choral conductor then harpsichordist and finally, professor of sacred music. As an organ major at The Ohio State University, he studied with Dr. Wilbur Held (B.Mus. 1969). Professor Joseph Goodman mentored him in composition at Union Theological Seminary in New York city (M. Sac. Mus, 1971). At the University of Colorado-Boulder, he returned to the organ, nevertheless, keeping composition as a mainstay (D.M.A. 1985). While in Colorado he composed two film scores for student filmmakers as well as choral and organ compositions. He was appointed Director of Sacred Music at the Pontifical College Josephinum (Columbus, Ohio) and rose to the rank of Professor (1984-2009). He retired as professor emeritus in 2009 and moved to New Mexico. While residing in Mountainair, New Mexico, he was organist/choral director for 12 years at a major Albuquerque church retiring again in 2021. He led choirs of all ages from children through the elderly. His most recent compositions include Passacaglia & Fugue for Organ and Chamber Orchestra (2022), a Fugue for Piano and Orchestra (2022), a Sonatina for Flute and Piano(2023), and the Sonata for Piano Quintet (2024) as well as several smaller works for voice and piano.
