Life in a Day
for flute and piano
(2008)
duration: 8’
GRT • 140
score available from
Australian Music
Centre
program note
Life in a
Day was originally
commissioned by Riley Lee for the 2008 World Shakuhachi
Festival (Sydney), with assistance from the Music Board of
the Australia Council for the Arts. The original version
(for shakuhachi and harp) exploits the natural tuning of
the shakuhachi but also seeks to re–contextualise its
cultural association through the influence of contemporary
jazz and lounge styles. In this version both flute and
piano feature separately but are often closely interwoven.
The music is at turns elated and introspective but
ultimately assumes a sense of urgency as the end
nears.