Thom Ritter George

PASTORALE FOR FLUTE AND ORGAN, CN 287 (1976)
 
 

PROGRAM NOTES

PASTORALE for Flute and Organ was written in July 1976.  Originally, the music was used as part of a wedding service for friends of the composer.  But subsequent performances proved the the score fit well into almost any kind of church service and was well received on recitals.

This is largely due to the serene nature of the piece itself and the effect of the flute singing out its long musical line high above the quiet earthbound accompaniment.  The composer's love of expansive English landscapes is suggested in the music.  And the use of compound meter is an allusion to the pastorales of the Italian Baroque.  Rural shepherds of that period had a tradition of coming to town on Christmas morning and filling the air with tender, melismatic melodies played on their shawms.
 

(TRGcm:1982.04.22)
Quincy, Illinois