Abstract
In some cultures, such as Māori culture, the sounds produced by instruments have spiritual properties. I would like to believe music taps into a part of the mind that transcends the here and now, and puts us in touch with imaginary, spiritual worlds.
This short piece imagines a parallel between the sound of harp music and the movement of spirits, or angels.
In this piece the flowing movements of the angels are unpredictable, capricious and playful. The gradual modal changes through the piece find rest at the end, as the music finally descends into the lower register of the harp. I want to thank Helen for her advice on writing for the harp, and for her beautiful playing.
This piece requires a double-action harp.
'Angels Flow' was composed for harpist Helen Webby of Christchurch, for performance in The Otago Festival of Arts 2012, and for inclusion on a CD of harp music entitled 'Pluck,' recorded by John Egenes for the Ode/Manu label.