Sanctuary at 3am
Five works for various chamber ensembles

"This piece ("Sanctuary at 3am") was composed for my flutist friend, Betty Porter, though I later decided it would be more effectively scored for the darker sound of the clarinet. The piece evokes the peculiar feelings we have upon encountering large, empty places that are intended to be occupied by crowds - in this case, the sanctuary of a church in the deep of the night. It is empty but not quite silent; hear the little creaks and murmurs of an old building, the chimes ringing in the steeple above and perhaps the ghostly echo of a remembered hymn. But the piece is also about the idea of "sanctuary" - a safe place during the dark night of the soul. Finally, the piece affirms the comfort we still find in old-fashioned tonality and tunefulness. Even at this late hour, after the agony that characterized so much of 20th century music, we can return to the sanctuary of G major and g minor and take refuge in a slow, sad tune. "

1. Sanctuary at 3 AM [6:27]
   for Bb clarinet and piano; 2000
   Anthony Costa, clarinet, Phil Amalong, piano
2. Lullabye for Kara [7:17]
   for cello and piano; 2002
   Phil Amalong, piano, Jeff Schoyen, cello
3. Variations on a Hiking Song [15:52]
   for piano solo; 1992
   Phil Amalong, piano
4. Impressionist Suite #2
   for oboe, clarinet & bassoon; 2000
   Mark Ostoich, oboe, Ron Aufmann, clarinet, Mark Ortwein, bassoon
   I. Cassatt; A Lullabye [3:32]
   II. Caillebotte; Precision [4:13]
   III. Sisley & Bazille: Joyful Skies, Lament for the Fallen [5:06]
5. The View from Carew [10:00]
   Romance for Bb clarinet, cello & piano; 2000
   Anthony Costa, clarinet, Jeff Schoyen, cello, Phil Amalong, piano

   Total playing time [52:45 ]
   ©2004 Rick Sowash Publishing Co.
   

$14.95