2013-14 – for violin, various native courtship flutes, piano, native drum – 7 movements 15:30 in total duration

Sheet Music

Score – 1st Movement (pdf)
Flute & Drum Parts – 1st Movement (pdf)
Violin Part – 1st Movement (pdf)
Piano Part – 1st Movement (pdf)

Score – 2nd Movement (pdf)
Score – 3rd Movement (pdf)
Score – 4th Movement (pdf)
Score – 5th Movement (pdf)
Score – 6th Movement (pdf)
Flute Part Transposed – 6th Movement (pdf)

Score – 7th Movement (pdf)
Flute & Drum Parts – 7th Movement (pdf)
Flute Part Transposed – 7th Movement (pdf)
Violin Part – 7th Movement (pdf)
Piano Part – 7th Movement (pdf)

Performances

Album Release:
April 21, 2017 in Ottawa.

World Premieres:
September 28, 2013 in Ottawa and
February 8, 2014 in Toronto
Ralitsa Tcholakova (violin)
Ron Korb (flute)
Mark Ferguson/Frank Horvat (piano)
Beverly Souliere (native drum)

More Performances: February 8, 2015 in Ottawa and May 28, 2015 on Parliament Hill

Recording

Album: Aboriginal Inspirations
Released: April 2017
Location: Kuhl Muzik, Toronto
Musicians: Ron Korb (flute & native flutes), Dominique Moreau (native drum), Benjamin Smith (piano), Ralitsa Tcholakova (violin, viola)
 

Programme Notes

This composition is inspired by the Ojibway legend of the same name. The 7 movements tell the story of this legend through the combination of instruments normally associated with Indigenous cultures and the western classical tradition. The composition was conceived and created with the utmost respect and appreciation for all of Canada’s First Nations communities.

Individual Movements:

The Weary and Unlucky Hunter – Dragging but steady pace. Bursts of quick notes emulating arrows not hitting anything and expressive melodic moments emulating the Hunter’s yearning to capture some food to feed his family. All 4 instruments (including Native Flute in G). Duration: 4:30
Cries for Help – Very free/loose beat… almost like it’s improvised. Flute emulates mysterious cries for help. Rubbing skin of the drum emulates the hiss of the snake. Native Flute in D and drum only. Duration: 2:00
The Snake Convinces the Hunter – Sneaky, cajoling sound. All instruments except for flute. Duration: 0:45
The Snake Attacks the Hunter – very aggressive, fast, rhythmic. All instruments (including A Double-Barreled Native Flute). Duration: 1:00
The Fox Tricks the Snake and Saves the Hunter – Carefree in tone, the Fox Theme. Ends contently to emulate the fact that the Hunter is now safe. For piano, violin and Native Flute in E. Duration: 2:00
The Hunter Thanks and Promises – Proud in tone. For Native Flute in G, percussion and violin. Duration: 2:00
“Don’t You Remember?” – Opening emulates the tragic series of events… Fox is eating meat from the Hunter’s stash of food (percussion), Hunter fires on the fox (loud piano chord), the fox screams in pain (high violin note). Then the rest of the piece is a melancholy regret on the part of the Hunter for the mistake he has made. All instruments, including Native Flute in A. Duration: 3:30

– Frank Horvat

NFB Film that inspired this composition:
Part 1 of 2
Part 2 of 2

Land Acknowledgement:
This composition was composed on land that is the territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnahbeg, the Haudenosaunee, the Chippewa, and the Wendat people. It is still home to many diverse First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people.

I recognize the historic oppression of the original peoples, and cultures, and land, in what we now call Canada, and that inequality and racism are a part of Canada today. By making this land acknowledgment, I hope to make a small gesture to reconciliation, and to honour Indigenous heritage which dates back over 10,000 years.

– Frank Horvat

Commissioned by Ralitsa Tcholakova.

LT#091