Instrumentation: 4 C flutes, 2 Alto flutes, 2 Bass flutes, Contrabass flute, Double bass (optional)

Regarding bass instruments:

While INCITEMENT can be played with just flutes, I like the addition of an extra bass instrument to get the optimum depth, power and balance in the low end. Double bass is ideal and would be my first choice for this. A cello, bassoon, or contrabassoon could read the double bass part and will sound good doing it. Double contrabass flute is also a great addition.

PROGRAM NOTE

INCITEMENT was written to be the “big finish” for the FLUTACIOUS SUITE. It is available both as a stand-alone piece and as a part of that suite. The idea was to write something flashy, fun and full of flute pyrotechnics to cap off the extended multi-movement work. I crammed it full of all kinds of runs, trills, riffs and gimmicks, building it on the most basic and un-subtle rock pulse, starting with the entire group playing a simple heartbeat in unison.

There are many features along the way, including some fast-moving running figures harmonized in parallel major chords and a fiddle-tune/reel kind of riff shared by the first and second flute, which overlays a three-voice chorale portrayed in the middle flutes. As with all of the movements in the FLUTACIOUS SUITE, this one shares the wealth, with every voice getting a lot of juicy parts. An extended section in the middle divides the group into two equal mini-choirs, which duke it out with dueling riffs in intricate rhythms.

The whole thing ends up with what I like to call a hyper-coda, an intense (and loud) surprise section that features powerful and slightly off-kilter harmonies, a powerful half-note melody and some flaming runs over the top from the first and second flute.

This is a digital version of the piece that you can download as a PDF and print. If you’d prefer a physical copy that will be shipped to you, click here.