.Michael Berkeley FLA!iiES Commissioned by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain, and first perfonned on 10 January 1981 at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by David Atherton. Orchestration: 3 flutes (2nd+alto flute, 3rd+piccolo) 3 oboes (3rd = cor anglais} 3 clarinets (2nd+Eb clarinet, 3rd+bass clarinet) 3 bassoons (3rd+double bassoon) for online perusal only 4 horns 3 trumpets 3 trombones 1 tuba timpani 2 or 3 percussion harn strings Flames Duration: approximately 7 minutes progrannne note by Michael Berkeley Flames was written for David Atherton and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with funds provided by the Arts Council of Great Britain. Since I wanted to write a piece that had some connection with Liverpool, I found myself thinking of the bombardment it suffered during the Second World War and (as in other cities) the extraordinary resilience of the people who overcame the destruction and rebuilt their churches and homes, and indeed their entire lives. As a chtld I can remember being captivated by the sheer beauty of a flame while at the same time being in awe of its power to consume, and this was another source of inspiration for the piece. The music opens quietly and mysteriously; it is as though we are transfixed by what is about to happen. Then comes the violence of reality followed by contrasting passages depicting both the devastation and the pathos it leaves behind. A message of hope emerges as the trumpets ring out the melody of the Gregorian Plainchant verse heard on Christmas Day - Verbum Caro Factum Est, Alleluia (And the Word was made Flesh). of defiance. Flames is, therefore, a tribute to the city. The work ends on a note The music is loosely based on the modes of Gregorian Plainchant which were such a feature of my childhood days as a chorister at Westminster Cathedral Choir School. c Michael Berkeley 1980
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