I am Dancing Blue Flame
- Duration 12 minutes and 15 seconds
- Instrumentation soprano, tenor saxophone, piano, Max/MSP and video
- Year Composed 2008
- Commissioned by Bonnie Lander
- Commissioned by H.A. Kares
-
Premiere
Bonnie Lander Voice Recital, Leith Symington Griswold Hall, April 21, 2008, Baltimore, MD. Bonnie Lander, soprano
Zachary Herchen, tenor saxophone
David Witmer, piano
Jenny Beck, Max/MSP
Ying-Chen Kao, music/video
Live recording from Bonnie Lander Voice Recital.
Program Notes
I am Dancing Blue Flame is a musical portrait of the female soul reaching toward a deeper understanding of the self. In a world that constantly pulls our attention outward, we often lose touch with who we truly are. This piece creates a space of stillness and meditation as a refuge from the noise and confusion of everyday life, brought to life through a blend of dark and bright sonic colors, intertwining melodic lines, and a prerecorded voice that speaks as the inner voice of the piece's protagonist.
I am Dancing Blue Flame was written for my dear friend Bonnie Lander. I would also like to thank Jenny Beck for her invaluable assistance with the electronics and Max/MSP programming, and above all, Heather Kares for writing the text that inspired this work.
Ying-Chen Kao