Flute Ensemble (4 flutes, 1 alto flute, 1 bass flute)
The Secret Language Of Snow (I. Annui, II. Api, III. Siqoq) - WI Music - (Grade 4) - The composition The Secret Language of Snow, inspired by Terry Tempest William’s book by the same name, musically depicts three of the words for snow used by the Inuit of the Kobuk Valley in northwest Alaska. The first movement, Annui, means falling snow. Api, the second movement, is the Inuit word for fresh snow on the ground. The third movement, Siqoq, describes snow that swirls above ridgetops.
This piece was written for the Colorado Music Teachers Association. It premiered at their Summer Convention 1998. I thought it would be odd playing a piece about snow at a Summer Convention. The convention was June 6-7 in Denver. June 5th a storm came in and dumped 6 inches of snow in Denver! As we were driving to the convention the next day (with our winter coats on) the radio said it was the first time in 25 years that Denver had received measurable snow in June. The hall we played in had windows across the back of the hall so the performers looked out to see a hillside full of fresh white snow! I will NEVER forget that premiere!
This piece has been performed at the National Flute Convention six times. The piece can be played with orchestral accompaniment (1st and 3rd movements only). The Pittsburgh Symphony has played the orchestral version twice.
There is also a wind ensemble accompaniment (1st movement only).
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