Program Notes

Mercurial is a journey leading towards serenity. The plaintive tune at the beginning of the work is accompanied by ominous and unsettling flute moans. Suddenly a rhythmic groove erupts and pushes the soloist into a driving and forceful state of mind. The soloist strives for the contemplative music of the opening and after the flute takes control of the relentless beat, the work ends with a return to the beginning but this time the performer is alone and revels in the solitude.

Special thanks to the University of Iowa Music Instrument Sample Bank for the flute samples, Mike McFerron for the step sequencer, and Freesound users ashassin, skiptracer, nic-Stage, and jobro for the all the wonderful noise. Please support the Freesound Project (freesound.org) to keep the sonic love alive.