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Green Jade - Willows
by Violet Archer (1982, for C & alto flute, baritone & piano)

Violet Archer composed in all genres, and was especially attracted to the idea of Gebrauchsmusik (literally, 'utility music'), a concept closely linked to her teacher Hindemith. Traces of music as a social endeavour can be found throughout her oeuvre, especially in her many pedagogical works. Archer wrote that her deep religious faith also provided a sense of purpose and foundation to her work. Above all, Archer was an adventurous composer, blending neo-classicism with, at various times, dissonance, folk-elements, expressionism, and parallelism. Though she taught serialism and aleatoric methods, Archer did not incorporate these techniques into her music. Despite the variety of methods she employed, Archer’s music is marked by a spareness of textures and a certain clarity. She completed 335 works over her lifetime.

The collection of works by Violet Archer on this recording span thirty years. The final two works, the song set Green Jade and the brief song Separation, are linked by Chinese texts. Green Jade is notable for the addition of C and alto flute. Extended and somewhat ‘exotic’ techniques are asked of both the flute and piano parts. The set dates from 1982. Separation, composed 1976, consists of a single musical phrase and lasts a mere 13 measures, a brevity that is perhaps possible only in a 20th century context in marked contrast to the 10th century origins of its text.

lyrics

Green Jade
Poems from Sunflower Splendor by,
Wu-chi Liu & Irving Lo

1. WILLOWS

In curve after curve the balustrade caresses
jade-green trees,
Willows in the light breeze
Break out all their golden strands.
Someone takes up an inlaid lute, tuning it with
pegs of jade;
A pair of swallows flies away in alarm through
the screens.

As far as eyes can see, floating gossamer and
falling willow-down;
As the pink almond-flower clusters open,
For a moment, a light Ch'ing-ming rain.
She awakens from deep slumber to orioles'
flurried chatter,
Startled from the last of a happy dream that
cannot be found again.

credits

from Gentle Lady, do not sing sad songs​.​.​., released June 12, 2013

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Ludwig Recordings Delta, British Columbia

Ludwig Recordings is a Record Label specializing in the music of composer Christopher Ludwig and its artists.
Ludwig Recordings has an especially strong focus on Art Song.

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