Transformations, Suite No. 1 (2007)

Description

Audio

Duration

7 1/2 min.

Instrumentation

Flute and bassoon

Program Notes

This series of five miniatures was inspired by Anne Sexton’s collection of poetry by the same name. In that book, Sexton uses traditional fairy tales as the basis for very modern explorations of dark social themes. The stark contrast between her blunt and forceful language and the rose-colored imagery commonly (though not historically) associated with fairy tales creates a jarring effect. Though none of the pieces in my Transformations are programmatic depictions of Sexton’s poems or the fairy tales on which they are based, each miniature is a reflection of imagery or emotions evoked by her powerful words.