Chamber Ensemble
Works are available from Laura Pettigrew unless otherwise noted.
Brass | Strings | Woodwind
Brass
A Terra
arr. for British Brass Band
Duration: 5:30
A Terra
Brass Ensemble with percussion
Duration: 5:30
A Terra - (The Earth) Terra Is Latin for Earth. The Earth was regarded in many other cultures as being alive and personified in a deity. Terra Mater literally translated means “Earth Mother” a Goddess that personified Earth. Terra was referred to as a fertile earth one bringing forth fruit and Mater as a woman who gives birth to children. The Roman Goddess Tellus was seen as Terra Mater and corresponds with the Greek Goddess Gaia. We as humans are part of “Mother Earth”. The essential elements necessary to sustain the Chemistry of Life, our being as humans are those very elements required to preserve Mother Earth. Thus we are at one with Terra Mater we depend on her to nurture us and she depends on every living being to nurture her to continue the Circle of Life. Roughly 96 percent of the mass of the human body is made up of just four elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. The remaining 4 percent is a sparse sampling of the periodic table of elements. Some of the more prominent representatives are called macro nutrients, whereas those appearing only at the level of parts per million or less are referred to as micronutrients. These nutrients perform various functions, including the building of bones and cell structures, regulating the body's pH, carrying charge, and driving chemical reactions. The FDA set a reference daily intake for 12 minerals (calcium, iron, phosphorous, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum and chloride). Sodium and potassium also have recommended levels, but are treated separately. However, this does not exhaust the list of elements that we as humans need. Zinc (0.0032%) is an essential trace element for all forms of life. Several proteins contain structures called "zinc fingers" help to regulate genes and used to build molecules of DNA, which is the chemical in our body that tells cells what chemicals they should make. It directs the reproduction of humans also. Chemists have now found that zinc plays an essential role in the manufacture of many important chemicals in the human body.Copper (0.0001%) is important as an electron donor in various biological reactions. Without enough copper, iron won't work properly in the body.Minerals and metals are mostly obtained from the earth’s crust. Brass is a substitutional alloy made of copper and zinc. Copper is a natural chemical element which in its natural metallic state is called native copper and is formed from the lava and minerals that occur during volcanic activity. Zinc is a natural component of the earth’s crust and an inherent part of our environment present not only in rock and soil, but also in air, water, the biosphere, plants, animals and humans. Written for and dedicated to Sérgio Carolino and MASSIVE BRASS ATTACK Brass Ensemble and Percussion, A Terra unites the alloys of copper and zinc present in our physical chemistry with those in Brass and percussion instruments, their acoustic properties and combined with, oxygen the most essential element of life brings the very essence of my work to life.
Aurora
Brass Quintet
Fanfare 55
Brass Choir
Fanfare for the Royal Family
Brass Choir
Neptune
Brass ensemble and drum line
Soaring.....on Eagles' Wings
arr. for Wind quartet and (Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, Bassoon) and piano
Suite for Trombone and Guitar
Trombone & Guitar
Tranquillitas Amini (3 mvts.)
Brass quintet
Duration: 10:00
Tranquillitas Animi was commissioned by Dr. Karen Gustafson for Borealis Brass Quintet, University of Alaska, Fairbanks. My work was premiered December 19, 2012 at Chiesa del Gesu, the oldest Jesuit church in Rome, Italy dating back to 1580 on the Natale in Music Concert Series comprised of eight concerts presented by the Adkins Chit Foundation, Women in Music featuring works by women composers from around the world and I was the only Canadian composer. Set in three movements entitled Proclamation, Adoration and Celebration, my work was written to celebrate the most holy and reverent season that being the birth of Christ. It was an amazing experience as all concerts were performed before in historic sacred venues to sold out crowds!
Tranquillitas Amini - Proclamation (1st mvt)
arr. British Brass Band
Strings
Geol
Flute and cello / Flute and Piano
Grasslands
Violin, Clarinet, piano and soundscape & DVD
Duration: 10:15
Grasslands is based on the Landscape of the prairies, the sights, sounds and people. We are a unique community of people comprised of many cultures each of which brings colour to the fabric of the tapestry as a whole. The Landscape - land of the prairies is stark, rich and bountiful and although its climate is harsh, our undying love and connection to the tapestry is that which holds us to the land. My family alone is rich unto itself insofar as cultural diversity (English, Scottish, German, French, Metis, Cree, Russian, Ukrainian, and Lebanese) as such I chose to write a work that would portray/represent the Landscape and people as a whole, reflecting and celebrating voices past and present. The work was written for Contrasts Trio (Eduard Minevich (violin), Pauline Minevich (clarinet) and David McIntyre (piano) and includes a soundscape (sounds of the prairies) and video (of the beautiful landscape, endless skies and people past and present)
Laura Pettigrew received a grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board (to write four works, Grasslands being one such work) and wishes to express her gratitude and gratefully acknowledges the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their ongoing sustained support of the Artists.
Mei Li de Uah
Erhu and piano
Duration: 4:30
Written for Corey Hamm and Nicole Gi Lim – PEP, the intent of my work is to honour Mr. Jon Lim Chung Yee who graciously shared his life story with me reflecting on the trials and tribulations he endured as an immigrant to Canada in 1956 and subsequently the success he achieved. Mei Li de Hua, which means Beautiful Flower is the Chinese name Mr. Yee bestowed on me stating I brought great chi and energy into his home. Ch'i literally means "air" or "breath". As a concept, it refers to the energy flow or life force that is said to pervade all things. Needless to say, I was humbled and honoured.
Pacis Quod Tintinnabula (Bells of Peace)
Clarinet, Cello, organ, percussion (opt)
Duration: 5:00
Globally there are innumerable Bells of Peace. During the Bronze Age the first bells were made in China over 3000 years ago. Like peace, the making of a finally tuned bell and musical work is both an art and a science ensuring the overtones match to create sounds of jubilation as well as meditation and introspection. Pacis Quod Tintinnabula incorporates a musical motif from Carol of the Bells and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Pie Jesu interwoven with my melody and variations to invoke and instill a sense of Jubilation and Peace, that being the language we all must speak.
Petite Suite Un Trois
Flute, Cello and Marimba
Physalis
Flute and Harp / piano
I wrote this work as a wedding gift for Jennifer Yee (former student) and Jerod Briere (my fifth cousin). Jennifer’s heritage is Chinese as such the title of the work “Physalis”. As one of the Alkekengii and its varieties they are grown for the decorative value of their brilliantly colored, swollen calyces. These resemble miniature "Chinese Lanterns", thus one of the common names, Chinese Lantern Plant. In Chinese medicine, the Physalis is used as a remedy for abscesses, coughs, fevers and sore throats, among others. For the work I used J.S. Bach’s “Prelude in C” and wrote a melody above same.” For each soul unto the universe we each possess the power to heal, how we use that gift is ours alone to determine” - Laura Pettigrew
Snow White Suite
Flute, Cello and piano
Duration: 17:30
Base on Grimm’s Fairy Tale, the work is set in five movements.
First movement – portrays the Queen Mother as she gazes out the frosted pane of the window dreaming of a daughter with skin as white as snow and hair as black as ebony. While sewing she pricks her finger and as a drop of her blood falls upon the window sill she notes her blood is so red and so pure as such she wishes her daughter to become a moral just person. The melodies I used in this movement reflect same, with the melody in the cello portraying not only her dark hair but also foreshadowing darkness, the evil to come, that being the wicked stepmother.
Second Movement – portrays Snow White as lives in the cottage with the Dwarfs after the huntsman leaves her in the forest as he cannot with conscience kill her. Set ABA the opening melody is Snow White her beautiful soul, so loving and carefree. However, when the wicked Queen discovers Snow White is alive she sets out for the Dwarfs cottage to find Snow White and to finish the job the Huntsman had left undone. (Second melody). In this section I set the music to words as the Queen questions the mirror. M. 26 – 33 the Queen - “Mirror, Mirror on the wall now who’s the fairest of them all”. M. 34 - 41, the mirror -“You are fairest my dear Queen but Snow White is fairer I tween”. From here the dialogue continues wherein m. 56- 57 The Queen utters “my little pretty”. Again the dialogue between the Queen and mirror continues as the Queen argues trying to win the argument. However, at m. 81 Snow White’s melody returns as the Queen has failed in her attempts to kill Snow White.
Third Movement – portrays the Seven Dwarfs as they set off to work in the mine – Although in F minor representing “Doc” the eldest of the Dwarfs, each dwarf is represented by their own key center and Dopey is represented by the measures in 7/8 (tripping over his feet as his shirt is much too long) As such the work wanders as they all ignore Doc. The final utterance in the work is played by the Flute with “Sneezy” sneezing “Ah – choo”
Fourth Movement – portrays the prince’s love (cello) for Snow White, singing to her as she lies in the coffin. M. 39-44 the sound of birds twittering while hovering as they protect Snow White in the glass coffin. M. 45-56 Snow White although deep in slumber can feel the prince’s love and sings back to him and they join in unison M. 57-61 singing “till we are together our hearts as one”. M. 63-67 Snow White (flute)- “my heart belongs to you”. M. 71 – 77 Snow White’s last thoughts in song (flute) “My love, till we’re one”.
Fifth Movement – a celebration - the Wedding of Snow White and the Prince - Processional m. 6 – 32; The Vows m. 33 – 54 - here again you’ll note there are unison portions as they sing their vows together, which I set to words; Signing of the Register m. 55 – 65 and Recessional m. 66 – 86 (end)
Grateful acknowledgment for funding through grants from the Canadian Music Center, SOCAN Foundation, Heritage Canada and the Saskatchewan Arts Board
Suite for Trombone and Guitar
Trombone & guitar
Tears
Clarinet and Viola / Clarinet and Cello
Themis
Violin, Cello and piano
Duration: 15:00
To celebrate the 80th year in which women were declared “Persons” in the “Persons” case that being October 18, 1929 my work is based on the Greek Goddess of Justice, Themis who was described as “of good counsel” - the embodiment of divine order, law and custom. Themis means law of nature, rather than human ordinance and literally means “that which is put in place” To the Greeks she was the original organizer of the “communal affairs of humans, particularly assemblies” As such I felt it most fitting to honour the efforts of the five courageous women from Alberta – Emily Murphy, Nellie McClung, Irene Parlby, Louise Kinney and Henrietta Muir Edwards who were instrumental in taking the matter of exclusion of women from the right to stand for election not only to the Supreme Court wherein it was denied, but later to the Privy Council of the British government, Canada’s highest court wherein the historic legal victory was achieved October 18, 1929. As such the exclusion of women was abolished insofar as women finally received rights and privileges known up to that point only to men. Although women through the Suffrage movement had received the right to vote in Canada in 1917, more specifically in 1916 in Saskatchewan, women to that point only had rights insofar as pain and penalties, thus did not have the right to stand for election. The “Persons Case” corrected this matter.
To most Themis is recognized as the statue of a woman holding scales in her hand representing justice with compassion ensuring a distribution of power that provides realistic and fair boundaries that encourage people to take responsibility for their actions.
Themis was married to Zeus and had several children:
Eirene (peace) Eunomia (Good Order and lawful conduct) Dike (Justice) Each collectively were one of the Horai -goddesses of the Seasons and keepers of the gates of heaven
Set in Four movements the work represents the three daughters of Themis as individuals but also collectively as the Horai (The Seasons). Thus a total of five collectively (the three daughters plus the addition of Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collectively as two) thereby portraying the five strong, courageous women (Emily, Nellie, Irene, Louise and Henrietta) who fought not only as individuals but as a cohesive and united unit thus winning the historic legal victory in which women were declared “Persons” in the “Persons Case", October 18, 1929.
The first movement – Eriene–Peace Second Movement– Horai–The Seasons–Spring & Summer Third movement - Horai-The Seasons-Autumn & Winter Third Movement – Good Order Justice-Eunomia & Dike
Gratefully acknowledge the generous support and funding provided by CMC, SOCAN Foundation and Heritage Canada
Zephyr
Pan pipes, cello, percussion and choir
Woodwind
Geol
Flute and cello / Flute and Piano
Ghosties in the Piano
Flute Quartet
Grasslands
Violin, Clarinet, piano and soundscape & DVD
Duration: 10:15
Grasslands is based on the Landscape of the prairies, the sights, sounds and people. We are a unique community of people comprised of many cultures each of which brings colour to the fabric of the tapestry as a whole. The Landscape - land of the prairies is stark, rich and bountiful and although its climate is harsh, our undying love and connection to the tapestry is that which holds us to the land. My family alone is rich unto itself insofar as cultural diversity (English, Scottish, German, French, Metis, Cree, Russian, Ukrainian, and Lebanese) as such I chose to write a work that would portray/represent the Landscape and people as a whole, reflecting and celebrating voices past and present. The work was written for Contrasts Trio (Eduard Minevich (violin), Pauline Minevich (clarinet) and David McIntyre (piano) and includes a soundscape (sounds of the prairies) and video (of the beautiful landscape, endless skies and people past and present)
Laura Pettigrew received a grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board (to write four works, Grasslands being one such work) and wishes to express her gratitude and gratefully acknowledges the Saskatchewan Arts Board for their ongoing sustained support of the Artists.
Iris
Flute Quartet
Le Petite Papillon
Flute Duet and piano
Pacis Quod Tintinnabula (Bells of Peace)
Clarinet, Cello, organ, percussion (opt)
Duration: 5:00
Globally there are innumerable Bells of Peace. During the Bronze Age the first bells were made in China over 3000 years ago. Like peace, the making of a finally tuned bell and musical work is both an art and a science ensuring the overtones match to create sounds of jubilation as well as meditation and introspection. Pacis Quod Tintinnabula incorporates a musical motif from Carol of the Bells and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Pie Jesu interwoven with my melody and variations to invoke and instill a sense of Jubilation and Peace, that being the language we all must speak.
Petite Suite Un Trois
Flute, Cello and Marimba
Physalis
Flute and Harp / piano
I wrote this work as a wedding gift for Jennifer Yee (former student) and Jerod Briere (my fifth cousin). Jennifer’s heritage is Chinese as such the title of the work “Physalis”. As one of the Alkekengii and its varieties they are grown for the decorative value of their brilliantly colored, swollen calyces. These resemble miniature "Chinese Lanterns", thus one of the common names, Chinese Lantern Plant. In Chinese medicine, the Physalis is used as a remedy for abscesses, coughs, fevers and sore throats, among others. For the work I used J.S. Bach’s “Prelude in C” and wrote a melody above same. ”For each soul unto the universe we each possess the power to heal, how we use that gift is ours alone to determine” Laura Pettigrew
Snow White Suite
Flute, Cello and piano
Duration: 17:30
Base on Grimm’s Fairy Tale, the work is set in five movements.
First movement – portrays the Queen Mother as she gazes out the frosted pane of the window dreaming of a daughter with skin as white as snow and hair as black as ebony. While sewing she pricks her finger and as a drop of her blood falls upon the window sill she notes her blood is so red and so pure as such she wishes her daughter to become a moral just person;. The melodies I used in this movement reflect same, with the melody in the cello portraying not only her dark hair but also foreshadowing darkness, the evil to come, that being the wicked stepmother.
Second Movement – portrays Snow White as lives in the cottage with the Dwarfs after the huntsman leaves her in the forest as he cannot with conscience kill her. Set ABA the opening melody is Snow White her beautiful soul, so loving and carefree. However when the wicked Queen discovers Snow White is alive she sets out for the Dwarfs cottage to find Snow White and to finish the job the Huntsman had left undone. (Second melody). In this section I set the music to words as the Queen questions the mirror. M. 26 – 33 the Queen - “Mirror, Mirror on the wall now who’s the fairest of them all”. M. 34 - 41, the mirror -“You are fairest my dear Queen but Snow White is fairer I tween”. From here the dialogue continues wherein m. 56- 57 The Queen utters “my little pretty”. Again the dialogue between the Queen and mirror continues as the Queen argues trying to win the argument. However, at m. 81 Snow White’s melody returns as the Queen has failed in her attempts to kill Snow White.
Third Movement – portrays the Seven Dwarfs as they set off to work in the mine – Although in F minor representing “Doc” the eldest of the Dwarfs, each dwarf is represented by their own key center and Dopey is represented by the measures in 7/8 (tripping over his feet as his shirt is much too long) As such the work wanders as they all ignore Doc. The final utterance in the work is played by the Flute with “Sneezy” sneezing “Ah – choo”
Fourth Movement – portrays the prince’s love (cello) for Snow White, singing to her as she lies in the coffin. M. 39-44 the sound of birds twittering while hovering as they protect Snow White in the glass coffin. M. 45-56 Snow White although deep in slumber can feel the prince’s love and sings back to him and they join in unison M. 57-61 singing “till we are together our hearts as one”. M. 63-67 Snow White (flute)- “my heart belongs to you”. M. 71 – 77 Snow White’s last thoughts in song (flute) “My love, till we’re one”.
Fifth Movement – a celebration - the Wedding of Snow White and the Prince - Processional m. 6 – 32; The Vows m. 33 – 54 - here again you’ll note there are unison portions as they sing their vows together, which I set to words; Signing of the Register m. 55 – 65 and Recessional m. 66 – 86 (end)
Grateful acknowledgment for funding through grants from the Canadian Music Center, SOCAN Foundation, Heritage Canada and the Saskatchewan Arts Board
Soaring.....on Eagles' Wings
arr. for Wind quartet and (Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn, Bassoon) and piano
Soaring.....on Eagles' Wings
Flute quartet and piano
Spirits of the Land
Flute Choir
A two-movement work reflective of those who traveled and worked the land hundreds of years ago. Using unique, tonal harmonies, this is a great addition to the repertoire.
Tears
Clarinet and Viola / Clarinet and Cello