Pan Penseroso

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Piano — Pan Penseroso (2009) is a concerto for flute or two flutes and orchestra or piano inthree movements:1. The Noise of Folly2. Prophetic Strain3. More is Meant (Than Meets the Ear)Pan Penseroso and the titles of its three movements are taken from John Milton’s great poemIl Penseroso (The Contemplative Man). The music aligns itself with this response to the poet’searlier L’Allegro (the Cheerful Man). In my concerto the flutist Pan, like the mature Milton,casts a reflective musical eye on the world, renouncing all “vain deluding joyes,” so as tobetter hear the “Sweet Bird that shunn’st the noise of folly…”Written for the master flutist Robert Dick, Pan Penseroso includes a number of proceduresexplored in Written for master flutist Robert Dick, Pan Penseroso includes a number of procedures explored in his pioneering book The Other Flute: A Performance Manual of Contemporary Techniques. Originally written for one flute, Bresnick created a two-flute version in order to make the piece accessible to a greater variety of players. This work is presented in three movements, each of which takes their titles from John Milton’s poem Il Penseroso (The Contemplative Man). The music aligns itself with this response to the poets earlier L’Allegro (The Cheerful Man). Orchestra version available on rental. Dur.: 24’