Flutist Laura Falzon together with Contralto Christina Ascher performed the World Premiere of a new work written for them by New York composer Theodore Wiprud. The new work titled Sirens’ Song is based on The Odyssey, with two voices alluringly entwined.
Composer Theodore Wiprud, who also plays important roles as concert presenter, educator, and music executive in his role as Director of Education of the New York Philharmonic, explains that “The Sirens are famous from the Odyssey, twin creatures half woman-half bird, luring sailors to their doom with their irresistible song. (…) I have worked with just a few words from their song’s brief lines, and used them more as sound sources than as exposition – “come,” “our twain voices,” “our sweet lips,” “all that shall be” (the temptation, as ever in Greek mythology, is to the pleasure of wisdom more than of the flesh). The music is alternately very quiet (as heard by Odysseus’ crew, their ears stopped with wax) and very loud (as heard deep in his psyche by Odysseus, lashed to the mast). I have exploited a variety of coloristic effects discovered to me by contralto Christina Ascher and flutist Laura Falzon to suggest the two Sirens’ weird allure. Bizarre modes arose as I composed, like scales from some ancient time. The result is a short work requiring virtuosity in its subtle moments as much as in its bravura flourishes.” Theodore Wiprud (December 2010).
The World premiere performance took place at the Sounds New Chamber Music Series on the Voices! Voices! program on December 3rd at Baruch Performing Arts Center, New York.