УДК 78.087.34:788

А73

ISBN 978-5-00254-103-4

44 с.

Six miniatures for woodwind quartet were composed in the summer of 2024. The cycle consists of contrasting, multicharacter pieces, most of which employ the elements of minimalist technique. The first movement, “Music of May,” is lightly danceable and is characterized by grace and simplicity. The miniature has the polyphonic texture. In the beginning, the music material in the form of the pattern is stated one-voice in the first flute part, then imitated by the flute piccolo with an offset of one quarter beat. The subsequent music development is similar: the second flute joins these two instruments (also one quarter beat later), and then, lagging another quarter beat behind, the oboe is added. The second movement of the cycle is “Toccatina.” It is a motoric and energetic piece, full of sharp dissonant sonorities, rapid and interrupted passages, which are expounded in the parts of all instruments in synchronized rhythm. The distinctive features of the miniature are the bright dynamics and the regular use of the high register. The contrasting third piece “Duet” contains a lyric and melodic beginning, a calm character and a slow tempo. Only two instruments remain here: the first flute and the oboe. The miniature opens with the oboe solo. Then the tempo comes alive a bit, with the oboe's melodic line repeated by the flute the major second higher The oboe thus conducts its melody at the second time, lagging behind the flute by one quarter beat. This method unites the first and third miniatures. The second half of the piece mirrors the first half of the composition - it's almost an exact retrograde of the beginning section. The fourth miniature “Dance with Torches” echoes the first piece in character. It also has a light dance character. The music material is marked by a resilient, syncopated pulsating rhythm. The key then moves a semitone higher, and then rises another tone up after that. The penultimate piece, “Aria,” resonates with the third miniature in its character. There's also a measured pace here. The melodic line of wide breathing in the piccolo part is combined with the stretching long accompaniment sounds in the parts of the other instruments. The final movement, “Toy Train Ride,” employs a minimalist technique. The piece is characterized by its scherzosity and vividness. The polyphonic texture, similar to the first miniature, is created by imitating the original pattern by different instruments and at various times. At the end of the piece, the piercing dissonant chord simulates the train horn that ends the cycle. Six Miniatures for woodwind quartet can be useful to professional composers and musicians, as well as ensembles interested in new contemporary and virtuosic repertoire.