Thea Musgrave: Sunrise: Flute & Viola: Score and Parts

Sunrise was commissioned by Backshore Artists Project Inc. on the occasion of Carol Wincenc’s 40th anniversary on the concert stage and underwritten by a generous grant from Linda and Stuart Nelson.The work is dedicated to Carol Wincenc for this very special occasion.It starts slowly with the bass flute leading a dark dream-like section with a theme that is marked rubato seductive. The viola echoes this melody but ties to move it to another key. Eventually the tempo quickens as the harp adds a new theme which the others soon copy.A new section svegliato (awakening) follows where the harp and viola encourage the flute to join them in a sprightly scherzo whichgrows to a climax to herald the sunrise. Here the viola leads with a glowing theme. After the flute has echoed this melody the mood quietens and in a peaceful coda the flute ‘remembers’ the theme from the very opening: it is now bathed in sunlight and is marked luminous.