for solo guitar
I. Lilac (sweet lilac air)
II. Star (transparent star, wandering light)
III. Bird (the woodpecker)
Lilac . Star . Bird is a solo guitar composition dedicated to guitarist Tracy Anne Smith.
The piece unfolds in three movements, each one a sonic painting that vividly evokes the essence of its namesake.
The opening movement, Lilac, portrays a purple lilac tree gently swaying in a Spring breeze with perfumed afternoon aromas tenderly swirling about in irregular, rhythmic patterns. The second movement, Star, highlights the rich timbre of the guitar and reflects the ethereal beauty of a star’s distant light in the night sky. The interplay of guitar harmonics and true tones mimics the celestial body’s flickering glow, capturing its elusive and fragile beauty. The final movement, subtitled the Woodpecker, is a fast and energetic movement. Rapid, repetitive tremolos emulate the woodpecker’s frenetic energy as it hops from tree to tree. The dynamic rhythmic patterns intend to paint a vivid picture of the bird’s tireless search, each note a peck against the bark, echoing through the forest.
