Instrumental
Works are available from Laura Pettigrew unless otherwise noted.
Brass | Strings | Woodwind
Brass
Cool Breeze
French Horn and piano
Nocturne
Cello / French Horn & Piano
Offertoire
Bb trumpet and piano
Quite simply, a musical offering. Gracious and lyrical, with a brief inspiring cadenza.
Tango for Two Sisters
French Horn/Alto Flute & Piano
Strings
Farewell
Flute/Violin & piano
Nocturne
Cello / French Horn & Piano
Woodwind
Blue-Eyed Grass
Piccolo & piano
A charming, short piece inspired by the plant of the same name, also known as "star grass," which has a small flower that only opens in the morning, and sheds a tear when it is finished blooming.
By the Sea
Flute & piano
Daisies
Flute/piccolo & piano
Dragonfly
Piccolo / Flute & piano
Duration: 1:55
The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change; change in the perspective of self-realization, the kind of change that has its source in mental and emotional maturity and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life. The traditional association of Dragonflies with water also gives rise to the meaning of this amazing insect. The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life. Its agile flight and ability to move in all six directions exude a sense of power and poise - something that comes only with age and maturity. It is capable of moving at an amazing 45 miles an hour, hover like a helicopter, fly backwards like a hummingbird, fly straight up, down and on either side and able to do this while flapping its wings a mere 30 times a minute while mosquitoes and houseflies need to flap their wings 600 and 1000 times a minute respectively. The awe-inspiring aspect is how the dragonfly accomplishes its objectives with utmost simplicity, effectiveness and well, if you look at proportions, with 20 times as much power in each of its wing strokes when compared to the other insects. The best part is that the dragonfly does it with elegance and grace that can be compared to a veteran ballet dancer! Exhibiting iridescence on both its wings and body, it shows itself in different colors depending on the angle and polarization of light falling on it. This property is seen and believed as the end of one’s self created illusions and a clear vision into the realities of life. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity. This again indirectly means self-discovery and removal of inhibitions. Living most of its life as a nymph or an immature it only flies a fraction of its life and usually not more than a few months as an adult. Thereby doing it all in a few months leaves nothing to be desired. This style of life symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living in the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment we are aware of who and where we are, what we are doing, our desires and aspirations allowing us to make informed decisions on a moment-to-moment basis affording us the ability to live our life without regrets just like the great dragonfly. In addition, the eyes of the dragonfly are one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring sights. Given almost 80% of the insect’s brain power is dedicated to its sight able to see all 360 degrees around it, it symbolizes the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self, symbolizing our rise from materialism to see beyond the mundane into the vastness that is really our Universe, and our own minds.
Echoes on Deception Lake
arr. Clarinet & vibraphone / Clarinet & piano
Duration: 5:30
In northern Saskatchewan exist the most beautiful and serene lakes one could imagine. Nature with all its majesty opens her arms and engulfs every living being. Deception Lake is one such body of water in the remote north accessible only by air. I wrote this work to depict the serenity of the area, one untouched by man’s hand. Close your eyes and you’ll hear the wind as it whispers through the trees and the waters lap upon the shore, echoing stories of the past.
Echoes on Deception Lake
Flute and piano
Duration: 5:30
In northern Saskatchewan exist the most beautiful and serene lakes one could imagine. Nature with all its majesty opens her arms and engulfs every living being. Deception Lake is one such body of water in the remote north accessible only by air. I wrote this work to depict the serenity of the area, one untouched by man’s hand. Close your eyes and you’ll hear the wind as it whispers through the trees and the waters lap upon the shore, echoing stories of the past.
Elephant and the Mouse
Eb Alto Sax/ Clarinet & piano
Elpis (Hope)
PiccFlute & piano
Enaj
Flute and piano
Duration: 4:00
Commissioned by Dr. Thomas Schudel to write a work for his wife Jane, I was inspired to write a work based on a tone row, which would utilize not only a melodic fabric for thematic material but also rhythmic fabric. Jane (principal assistant flute and piccolo for RSO) is a vibrant woman and as a flutist has amazing technique and tone colours. Therefore, I created a work which would highlight these qualities. In using the row, I was able to literally spell her name using tetrachords over measures 18 through 20. In addition as the surname Schudel contains 7 letters, I incorporated this number and used septachords. The principle of a tone row, serial composition is based on prime, inversion, retrograde and retrograde inversion. Therefore, I thought it fitting to title the work “Enaj”, (pronounced with a soft “j”) Jane, inverted, a mirror image.
Farewell
Flute/Violin & piano
Freya
Flute & piano
Freya is one of the major Goddesses of Norse Mythology. Equal in prowess to Thor, Freya is nearly the equal of Odin, the Allfather. She is the Goddess of Love and Beauty, one of the original fertility goddesses of the region. Patron of young lovers, Freya is viewed as a force for good in the world – protector of the weak, healer, granter of magic and source of love and peace. She listens to the prayers of men and women seeking love and helps them when she can. Freya is described as the most beautiful of women in the Nine Realms. She always wears Brisingamen, a wonderful necklace made from gold and amber that she received from dwarves. Freya leads the Valkyrie, the Choosers of the Slain. These warrior maidens ride over battlefields on winged horses, taking the souls of noble warriors killed in battle to feast in Valhalla, Odin’s Hall. Freya claims half of the warriors for her own hall in Folkvang. This martial province makes Freya a more fully dimensioned goddess than most fertility deities. I wrote this work for Erika Mueller to express my great love and admiration. As a young woman Erika’s beautiful soul is filled with compassion for humanity and is gifted with great beauty and musical talent beyond her years. The work comprises many factors that being not only the tonal centers used but also numerical in that to reflect not only Erika but also Freya. As such tonal centers used are e minor, F# major and B minor specifically in addition to using five to ten measure phrases.
Ho Hin Se
Bb Clarinet/Flute & piano
Icicles
Piccolo & piano
Iris
Flute & piano
Latar Semplice
Flute & piano
Le Chatton
Flute/piccolo/alto flute (solo)
Legends (Legends of Leah)
C Flute or alto flute & piano
Legends consists of two movements (Legend of Leah and Legend of the Sea), which are two distinctly different works drawn from inspiration and friendships.
Offertoire
C Flute or alto & piano
Quite simply, a musical offering. Gracious and lyrical, with a brief inspiring cadenza.
Ostrich and the Butterfly
Flute/piccolo & piano
Phoenix
Eb Alto Sax/ Clarinet & Piano
The Phoenix, a mythical bird is the symbol of immortality. The most well-known, Arabian Phoenix was said to be as large as an eagle with plumage scarlet and gold in colour and a melodious cry that was so enchanting that even the great Sun God Apollo stopped to listen. It is said that only one phoenix existed at any one time and was long-lived with a life span of 500 to 1,000 years and by some accounts up to 1,461 or 12,994 years. At the end of its life it would build a pyre nest of aromatic branches and spices and burn itself to ashes. After three days the young phoenix arose out of the ashes, gathering the ashes of its predecessor into an egg of myrrh wherein it took it to the city of Heliopolis, the city of the sun wherein it was deposited on the alter of the Sun God. It is not only considered a symbolic representation of the Death and re-birth of the sun but also at the end of the first century, Clement of Rome, was the first Christian to interpret the myth of the phoenix as an allegory of the resurrection and life after death. It is said the phoenix lived on dew, killing nothing and crushing nothing that it touched. It is also said that the phoenix could regenerate after being wounded and that its tears could heal wounds. As a programmatic work the opening section depicts the majesty and strength of the phoenix singing its enchanted song. The second section portrays the phoenix singing in sorrow as it builds the funeral pyre and subsequently throws itself on the fire….As Christ rose on the seventh day; I used C# minor, the seventh of D# minor (the opening tonal centre). The final section based on a pentatonic scale depicts the birth or rebirth of the young phoenix in its new form, one of freedom, youth, vitality and beauty associated with the Far East. This work was written for Jennifer Tenford for the NASA convention February 2007, Regina, Saskatchewan. I realized how fitting this work and or the meaning of "Phoenix" are insofar as her personality and the healing power she innately possesses as a gentle soul through her sensitivity, generosity, and kindness. With reference to the Phoenix and its ability to heal with its tears....for me music is like gentle rain, the tears of my soul. Thus composing allows me to express my innermost thoughts and passions, thus refreshing, healing and renewing my spirit. Commissioned by: Jennifer Tenford
Picc’in Suite
Piccolo/Flute and piano
Ostrich and the Butterfly
Flute/piccolo & piano
Rainbow Trout
Eb Alto Sax & piano
Seraph
Flute & piano
Snow Angels
Flute & piano
Som Mon Ye Juk
Eb Alto Sax/Bb Clarinet & piano
Springtime
Flute & piano
Tango for Two Sisters
French Horn/Alto Flute & Piano
Tigerlily
Flute & piano
Tulips
Flute/piccolo & piano
Vega
Flute & Piano
Waterlily
Flute & piano
Winter Solstice
Alto Flute or C FLute & piano
Flowing melodies and a circular structure evoking the sun, its warmth, and life it sustains, yet a longing for me, contrasted with winter and all its harshness. 2008 NFA Newly Published Music Competition Honorable Mention.
Yu Lian
Flute & Piano
I wrote this work for Lindsay Reller who is an extremely talented young musician. Lindsay’s Chinese name is Yu Lian and the English translation is Jade Lotus. The work encompasses many factors to represent Lindsay’s personality and characte, not only the tonal centers used but also numerical as it relates to Lindsay and her Chinese name. “Music, like rain the tears of a composer’s soul.” - Laura Pettigrew