The Shadow of Sirius (Flute and Piano)

Commissioned by a consortium of American wind ensembles lead by Michael Haithcock and the University of Michigan. Dedicated to the flutist Amy Porter. Originally for solo flute and wind ensemble. I. The Nomad Flute II. Eye of Shadow III. Into the Clouds From the Composer: I have always found comfort in poetry. While in school, I was the guy with a collection of Bukowski under one arm and a collection of Yeats under the other. I have always enjoyed the rhythm of other people’s thoughts and feelings. In the winter of 2009, my wife and I experienced a heartbreak that left me unsure of how to even breathe, let alone grieve. On March 1st, 2009, I found a copy of W.S. Merwin’s, The Shadow of Sirius, and I began to feel myself heal. I have almost no idea what most of this poetry means. But I know that it fills me with a profound sadness that is, at the same time, brimming with hope. I recently heard Mr. Merwin discussing the origin of the title of his collection. He related that scientists have discovered that the star known as Sirius is actually a star system. What looks to our eye like a single object is actually many. Merwin found himself wondering what is on the other side of Sirus, lying in its shadow. A friend once said to me, “many concerti explore a virtuosity of technique but not many explore a virtuosity of expression.” It was with that thought in mind that I began work on my, The Shadow of Sirius, for solo flute and wind orchestra. Each movement offers my reflection on a single Merwin poem from the collection. Although the work is played without pause, the soloist plays unaccompanied solos to separates the individual movements. -Joel Puckett