Liebesträume

'Libesträume' (Love's Dream) was written in October 2000 for Louise Bunce's (nee Taylor) 18th Birthday. The recording above was taken from the St. Mary's concert on the 15th of July 2006.

Analysis:

'Libesträume' is based around one idea (bb3-4 flute) that is used as the starting point for various developments. The main idea [X] uses the rhythm of Gratias Ago, a rhythm adopted for many of my early flute works. The brief two-bar introduction establishes the piano figuration for the rest of the piece. The flute enters in b3 playing 'X' (bb3-10) which is then repeated with a different ending (bb11-18). bb19-29 consist of a variation of the main theme plus the introduction of a new idea (bb26-27 rising minims). At b30 the mode becomes minor (Cm) for a new theme [Y] which has elements of X's rhythm present. Notice that the piano bass part at bb30-31 is the Graitas Ago rhythm augmented, thus showing its significance to the piece. At b44 a reduced 'X' appears and is soon taken over by the piano in preparation for the full reprise of X. The reprise begins at b52, ending at 67 and is structured in the same was as at the beginning of the piece. The secondary theme (originally seen at19-29) appears again but this time the rising minims become more of a focus (bb.75-78) leading to top B on the flute. The mode briefly turns to Cm again as if Y is going to make an appearance, but this time where hear an extract of X transposed to the minor mode. This is interrupted by the rising minims which change the direction back towards the tonic Eb major and the final reprise of X (b87). X is repeated twice without the secondary idea before the coda begins at b100.