shakuhachi, violin, viola, and cello (1990)
Elizabeth Brown, shakuhachi; Mary Rowell, violin; Richard Brice, viola; Ted Mook, celloduration: 11:15
program note
Migration was written at the MacDowell Colony in January 1990 following the loss of a close friend. The difficulties that occur in combining two different musical traditions parallel the difficulties occuring in the meeting of two contrasting cultures. In this piece, eastern and western traditions absorb ideas and language from each other while struggling to maintain their own cultural identity. Commissioned by the Andiamo Chamber Ensemble, Migration was the first of Brown’s pieces to combine Western and traditional Japanese instruments. It has been performed numerous times throughout the United States, and in Japan, the Netherlands, and Russia., by the Lark Quartet, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, Claring Chamber Players, Apple Hill Chamber Players, North Country Chamber Players, River Run Chamber Players, and the Adaskin Trio. It was featured in the program New American Shakuhachi Music at Merkin Hall in 1993 and is included on CRI’s Emergency Music: Bang on a Can Live Vol. II CD.