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FeaturedRecording

Commissioned by Performing Arts Fund NL

Notturno (1995)

12'  oboe-solo 2h 4vln 2vla 2vc cb

1st Movement: (2 minutes) On a late summer evening in East Amsterdam, a Brazilian tango orchestra rehearses on the third floor of an apartment on 1st Oosterparkstraat. Upstairs, a US jazz bassist warms up in the attic, while on the second floor, an oboist from India practices long notes. Separated by floors and ceilings, their sounds create a unique multicultural blend. Suddenly, the music halts as a police car’s horns blare outside—everyone who lives in this building is an undocumented immigrant. When the anticipated raid doesn't happen, the music resumes, growing bolder. But the police car returns, faster this time. The orchestra and bassist decide to call it a day. 2nd Movement: (4 minutes) Meanwhile, mice scurry through the shops on the ground floor, searching for food. The oboist, now distracted, practices snippets of Mozart he almost-but-not-quite remembers. The Italian opera singer next door yawns, sighs, then falls back to sleep. The oboist, intrigued, tries to imitate the singer, and the cycle repeats.

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