as flower, as fire (2020)
An ode to once-favoured Andantes
11 minutes
for piano
Commissioned by The Firm New Music, Adelaide.
First performance by Michael Ierace on December 14th, 2020 at Elder Hall, Adelaide, South Australia, as part of the Firm New Music Concert Series for 2020.
as flower, as fire is included on my 2024 release before, during, after - an EP of solo piano music recorded by Michael Ierace. You can discover more and purchase the EP through Bandcamp.
An ode to once-favoured Andantes
11 minutes
for piano
Commissioned by The Firm New Music, Adelaide.
First performance by Michael Ierace on December 14th, 2020 at Elder Hall, Adelaide, South Australia, as part of the Firm New Music Concert Series for 2020.
as flower, as fire is included on my 2024 release before, during, after - an EP of solo piano music recorded by Michael Ierace. You can discover more and purchase the EP through Bandcamp.
as flower as fire was composed in response to Beethoven's 'Waldstein' Sonata, Op. 53, and the work which was once destined to be the Sonata's middle movement, the Andante Favori, WoO 57.
Further inspiration, along with the title of the work, was taken from the following poem by Sara Teasdale:
Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold,
Let it be forgotten for ever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.
If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long forgotten snow.
Sara Teasdale, from ‘Flame and Shadow’
Further inspiration, along with the title of the work, was taken from the following poem by Sara Teasdale:
Let it be forgotten, as a flower is forgotten,
Forgotten as a fire that once was singing gold,
Let it be forgotten for ever and ever,
Time is a kind friend, he will make us old.
If anyone asks, say it was forgotten
Long and long ago,
As a flower, as a fire, as a hushed footfall
In a long forgotten snow.
Sara Teasdale, from ‘Flame and Shadow’