Over the Edge

"OVER THE EDGE uses the tape part to modulate and expand on the possibilities of the flute. The of structure of the piece consists of extremely fast, articulated sections surrounding a slow central one. Fast motivic figures build by accretion, starting out in a narrow range and gradually expanding, becoming syncopated and angular. The fast repeated figures give OVER THE EDGE a character derived from both be-bop and bluegrass musics. I have purposely set the main tempo at 132, just a little faster than comfortable, making the piece a challenge to perform.

OVER THE EDGE was awarded the ISCM US section prize first prize and the Washington Square Contemporary Music Series Competition Prize in 1989, and a National Flute Association New Publications Prize for 1992. It is published by McGinnis & Marx, New York. The tape part was produced at the Columbia-Princeton Electronic Music Center." Eric Chasalow