Catherine Neville

Flute, Cello, and Piano

Composer's Note:

Inspired by the ongoing climate crises across the globe, Elements moves through a world of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air in which each is altered and fractured. The music is at times peaceful, but that peace is interrupted by chaos and destruction at every turn.

Earth is introduced with solo piano chords, descending into the entrance of the flute and cello. A central theme is taken up first in the flute and echoed by cello, but is quickly interrupted with fast-moving melodic lines.

The melodies at times coalesce into a unit, before unraveling and evaporating into Water. In Water, ripples and undulating curves illustrate a river, in music built on the overtone series. We witness playful splashing as the river flows over a waterfall, ending in deep stillness.

Fire begins with a flicker, quickly catching growing into ravaging flames. Just as quickly, the flames retreat into cinders and smoke.

Fire dissipates into Air. Thin textures leave no doubt that we are floating, weightless. The music ends meditatively, a single note in the piano asks us what we will do to mitigate the chaos and destruction we are witnessing.