The Gift

for Solo Flute, or Flute and Piano

Rhonda Larson

Performance Notes:

As with most of my compositions, “The Gift” was written initially for Solo Flute, with no accompaniment necessary due to the built-in harmony. However, as with most of my compositions, I later added the piano accompaniment, lending the piece more versatility. Feel free to perform it either way, according to your concert situation and personal preference. Keep in mind that the flute part is like a Bluegrass fiddle part, with the de-emphasized notes almost as a pizzicato. Be sure you make a distinction between the melody and harmony, separating the two perspectives in your playing style.

Program Notes:

The innocent and straight-forward theme of “The Gift” came to me while hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It seemed to have an Appalachian sound to it—perhaps because I was actually ON the Appalachian Trail… Nevertheless, when I went to write the rest of the piece, it began to reveal itself as a somewhat Bluegrass fiddle style. Pure joy, with hints of submerged mystery here and there. It earned the title “The Gift” as I completed the piece in one day, which thus far has happened only this once! It was a Gift from the great Creator, given freely!

----Rhonda

July 2006