Invention after BWV 1013 (Two Flutes)

Invention after BWV 1013 (Two Flutes) By Daniel Dorff, Published By Theodore Presser Company.

Instrumentation: Two Flutes. To celebrate the 100th birthday of legendary flutist Julius Baker, the Dolce Suono Ensemble commissioned a series of short duos inspired by Bach, to be premiered by Jeffrey Khaner and Mimi Stillman. Daniel Dorff based his Invention After BWV 1013 on the opening phrase of Bach's Partita in A Minor - beginning as a Bach-like two-part invention, it bursts into a 7/8 bossa nova, still as an invention on the familiar Bach phrase. For advanced flutists. Dur.: 2’20"

PROGRAM NOTES
To celebrate the centenary of Julius Baker's birth in 2015, the Dolce Suono Ensemble commissioned eight Philadelphia-area composers to compose flute duets for Mimi Stillman and Jeffrey Khaner to premiere, with the stipulation that each piece must honor Baker by having some relationship to J.S. Bach.

Bach and flute recitals often intersect at the Partita for Solo Flute, BWV 1013 and I chose to write a two-part invention based solely on the first two beats of the Partita - that's a 16th rest, followed by seven 16th notes. I began the piece as a Bach-style invention, but reaching a half-cadence after a page of playing it straight, I got itchy. The melodic pattern is easily recognizable, and if the 16th-rest were excised, the first pitch becomes the downbeat of a 7/16 measure (see m.20 in the example above).

Given the intense nature of Bach, and the spirited virtuosity of these performers, I started the new section with a countermelody spun out from the previous section and then ran with a 7/16 samba version, sticking with Bach's pitch contour. It takes a bit of counting practice to perform this, but I've seen a lot of exhilarated performers nail it.

REVIEWS
"... an interesting fantasy based on a very well-known work. It consists of two sections based on source material from the Allemande movement of the Bach Partita (BWV 1013). Dorff uses rhythm and texture to weave a new work from small snippets of the original tune. The new composition in its own compelling way, is not unlike a ransom note created by cutting letters from a magazine. The first section, "Moderato, with Baroque lightness" incorporates an imitative texture and style reminscent of Bach's organ works, and the melody of the Allemande from is clearly recognizable, although there aren't any really direct quotes. The second section, "Faster, fiery," in 7/16, is driven by its asymmetrical meter into a rhythmic, Latinesque dance that maintains the perpetual motion of the original music while discarding some of the gravitas inherent in the Partita. Where Bach's Partita is solemn, this duet is joyous, angular, and on the move. It is an exercise in carefully controlled chaos of which Bach himself might approve!"
            – The Flutist Quarterly (Jessica Dunnavant), Fall 2017

"This work was premiered by dedicatees Jeffrey Khaner and Mimi Stillman in celebration of Julius Baker's centenary. The piece is clever and challenging for two equal players. The opening moderato, with Baroque lightness, is reminiscent of J.S. Bach's Partita in A Minor. The faster, fiery second section is in 7/16 time. This would be excellent for studio recitals, especially if paired with another Bach work. Highly recommended."
            – Flute Talk (Katherine Borst Jones), May/June 2017    
Invention after BWV1013 sample page

• Dorff, Daniel

• THEODORE PRESSER COMPANY

• 2 Flutes

• 20th Century

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