Three Flirtations (2002) - This composition was composed for Harmonie del Sur and is a musical description of courtship. The three movements are cyclical in that the recurring descending minor triad "motif of love" occurs in all three movements. "Innocent" is a flirtation between two good friends whose friendship is blossoming into love, but they don't quite know it. The movement begins playfully with dotted rhythms and short scale motifs. The "motif of love" appears several times within the playful sections. Towards the end of the movement, the playfulness becomes more tender as the couple senses, but is not quite sure that there is something more to the friendship. The playfulness returns, but the movement ends with uncertainty about the depth of the relationship. "Sultry" can be described as a dance of seduction with both parties overtly expressing their attraction to each other, yet with an air of mystery. The "motif of love" appears only a few times in this movement as underlying suggestion that the attraction is based on more than the physical. The movement ends more tenderly than it began, therefore reinforcing the underlying love. "Coy" begins with the "motif of love" transformed into a staccato teasing motif. Aggressive teasing and playfulness permeate this movement, but two lyrical sections that are more innocent in nature interrupt it. The ending builds in intensity along with the passion of the two lovers, but ends with a brief return to the playful ideas .

Prelude, Bacchanale, and Reverie (1998) - This piece was composed as a gift to the composer's wife on their 25th wedding anniversary. The Prelude creates an atmosphere of calm as it gently interweaves lines between the oboe and piano. The Bacchanale is intensely driving and rhythmic. The Reverie is a dream reflective of the pleasures of the Bacchanale bringing the piece to a quiet close.

Suite for Oboe and Piano (1969) - This piece is a modal composition using quartal harmony. The Introduction uses a hemiola of 6/8 -3/4 to build to an exciting climax. The Song is reminiscent of a pastorale as it uses a lyrical melody over sustained chords. The Danse is waltz-like and alternates a flowing theme with humorous interruptions. The Finale is driving and has the feel of a perpetual motion.

Lyric Piece and Dance (1985) - This composition was composed for the student oboist and is listed in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Manual of Recommended Solo and Ensemble Music. The Lyric Piece is in ABA form . The center section alternates phrases between the oboe and piano. The Dance alternates measures of 4/4 and 3/4. It is also in an ABA form with the outer sections being staccato and the middle section being legato.

Divertissement (2005) - Divertissement was composed for the Cadence Music Ensemble. A divertissement is a multi-movement composition designed to divert, entertain or to amuse. The title came about as a result of the desire of Cadence for a piece that would be full of energy, have interplay between instruments, have lyrical lines, be able to reach all types of audiences, and contain a show stopper. There are six contrasting movements in this composition; Intrada, Nocturne, Waltz, Marche, Romanza, and Galop. The Intrada is energetic and playful with a lot of interplay between instruments. The Nocturne, being a night piece, is both lyrical and mysterious. The Waltz is in a flowing waltz tempo with occasional shifts away from three beats in the measure. The bass drum in this movement supports the waltz rhythm at times and at other times uses syncopation to contrast the other instruments. The Marche is not a piece that would be used in a parade. It is a march that exists in the mind of a child who is playing with toy soldiers; therefore there is playfulness and humor that would not occur in a functional march. Lyrical lines and
expressiveness are the predominating features of the Romanza. The piece comes to a rousing close with the Galop, which is a "perpetual motion" type of movement with a lot of rhythmic variety.

Label: Emeritus Recordings
Item Number: EM062
Format: CD
Year Recorded: 2006

author: Dr. Susan Laib - Mansfield University

Flirtations is a new CD of five highly amicable works for oboe by contemporary composer Sy Brandon. The first piece is Three Flirtations, composed for the husband-wife duo of Lauren Murray, oboe and English horn, and Robert Murray, trumpet and flugel horn. The three-movement work is very listenable with wonderful lyrical lines, especially in the second movement in which the players switch to their lower instruments. With impeccable intonation between them, both performers are fine players who flow from each other seamlessly and blend together beautifully. The second work, Prelude, Baccahanal, and Reverie, begins with broad sweeping lines beautifully played by oboist Anita Ranucci Brandon, ably assisted by pianist Maria Corley. The Bacchanal has interesting cross rhythms and syncopations that give it a quirky lilting feel, along with more sweeping, lyrical lines that occasionally float on top of the rhythmic piano. This moves directly into the Reverie, which is styled as its title would indicate. Notable are numerous appoggiaturas begging to be leaned into. This work, with its slow-fast-slow grouping of movements, provides ample opportunity for the oboe to show off its ability to make beautiful, expansive lines. The Suite for Oboe and Piano, also commendably played by Anita Ranucci Brandon and Maria Corley has an abrupt end to the "Introduction," which takes the listener by surprise. It is followed yet again by another beautifully lyric moment with the "Song," answered by a unique quirkiness in the "Danse" and a more angular "Finale." Lyric Piece and Dance is just as the title indicates. Yet Dr. Brandon cannot hide his innate lyricism which alternates with more angular moments in the Dance. Again, the work is admirably played by the same oboe-piano duo. Divertissement, composed for The Cadence Music Ensemble of Tricia Wlazlo, oboe, Alan Stocking, percussion, and Sandra Carey-Sheaffer, piano, is clearly the most acrobatic work on the recording, notably in the opening "Intrada." This directly contrasts with the return to lyricism in "Nocturne." "Valse" is a lilting waltz with 21st century harmonies and interplay between the drum, oboe and piano, followed by a Prokofieffesque "Marche." With sprinkles of stardust sounding from the percussion, there is ample room for rubato and expressive shaping of the oboe lines in "Romanza," and the "Galop" provides a romping end to an enjoyable work. As a whole, this is possibly the most demanding ensemble work on the program, but still quite accessible to performers and listeners alike, and superbly played by this unique trio. Overall, the CD is enjoyable, listenable 20th century contemporary classical music for the oboe and friends. All works are worthy additions to the oboe player's repertoire. As this CD clearly indicates, Dr. Brandon knows how to exploit the oboe's greatest asset of lyricism, and the influence of at least one of his teachers, Warren Benson, is clearly evident throughout.

author: Ed Stanley - Assistant Professor of Oboe at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music

Flirtations presents five excellent additions to the chamber music repertoire featuring the oboe. Spanning a period of 36 years, each composition was expertly written for a different situation; the tender Prelude given by the composer to his wife on their anniversary, the student piece with its clear forms and expressive lyricism, and two works to meet the requests of specific ensembles. All show the extent of the oboe's technical capabilities while emphasizing its expressive qualities, ranging from playful to sultry, tender to sarcastic, mournful to jubilant. To this writer, the strongest element featured is the interplay between the various instruments involved, from the programmatic suggestions by oboe and trumpet in the title piece, to the wonderful and imaginative use of percussion in Divertissement. The use of piano was always in dialogue with the other instruments, never strictly as an accompaniment. With three different oboists represented, comparisons are invited, but all performers were excellent and the CD works well with the diversity.