Composer

:

Robert Paterson

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

03:44

Estsanatlehi is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Robert Paterson. The piece was composed in 2016 and premiered on March 4, 2017, by the American Modern Ensemble at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music in New York City. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which is inspired by a different aspect of the Navajo goddess Estsanatlehi. The first movement, titled "The Changing Woman," is a lively and rhythmic piece that reflects the goddess's role as a symbol of fertility and renewal. The second movement, "The White Shell Woman," is a slower and more contemplative piece that evokes the goddess's association with the moon and the night sky. The final movement, "The Turquoise Woman," is a fast and energetic piece that represents the goddess's connection to the earth and the natural world. Paterson's use of instrumentation in Estsanatlehi is particularly noteworthy. The piece is scored for a chamber ensemble that includes flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, and piano. Paterson makes use of a wide range of extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing on the flute and clarinet, pizzicato and col legno on the strings, and various percussion effects. These techniques help to create a unique and otherworldly sound that is well-suited to the piece's subject matter. Overall, Estsanatlehi is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Paterson's skill as a composer. Its use of Navajo mythology and symbolism gives the piece a sense of depth and meaning that is rare in contemporary classical music.

More....