Program notes
Indigo Concerto came about as a shared search for new levels in the complex and global language of contemporary music. My two previous pieces for flute and piano (Dúo Ami and Malagigi the Sorcerer)—both written for Alberto Almarza—resulted in a series of exciting and successful presentations. Alberto’s unique gifts for the flute and his virtuoso abilities, especially in the use of extended techniques, brought those works to life and infused in them a maturity and a full-blown expression of color and emotion. Once again Alberto asked me to write a flute concerto for him; thus Indigo Concerto was created.
In this piece, many sounds and rhythms from my past come into play freely and openly. These include joropo, salsa, and the Venezuelan merengue, which appear intermixed as short occurrences in the context of the work. Extended techniques for the flute, such as circular breathing and whistle tones, are included as an intrinsic part of the music.
The concerto has three movements. The first follows a somewhat standard sonata form (exposition, development, recapitulation, and cadenza). A third theme appears before the development, and returns only in the cadenza and at the end of the last movement.
The second and third movements are played without a break, and both are connected thematically to the first movement. The context in which the material appears is starkly different in each, however: the second movement is slow and introverted; the third is dance-like.
Indigo is a full-bodied dark blue color. Its versatility when mixed with other colors gives it the potential for a vast variety of subtle transitions and radiations. Its warmth allows us to reach inner senses of perception.
— Efraín Amaya
Instrumentation, versions & duration
Orchestral instrumentation:
*1/*2/*2/2 – 2/1/0/0 – 3 perc. – piano – solo flute – strings.
Duration: ca. 22:30 (three movements).
- I — Moderato
- II — Lento
- III — Dance
There is also a version for solo flute and wind symphony orchestra, published by Edition Peters. For rental and performance materials, please contact Edition Peters.
Listen to the premiere
Purchase options (flute & piano version)
All PayPal buttons below open in the floating cart (top/right on desktop, bottom/right on mobile) so you can combine items before checkout.
To order this piece without using PayPal, please email LaFi Publishers.