Iberian Impressions
Iberian Impressions is an evocative collaboration between myself and artist Ian Fink, culminating in a solo flute piece steeped in the rich musical heritage of Spain. This composition was born out of a reflective conversation with friends about a concert tour in Spain back in 1992. It prominently features the Spanish Gypsy scale, also known as the Phrygian dominant scale, and draws inspiration from the distinctive performances of Eric Dolphy and Pharoah Sanders in John Coltrane’s Olé.
As the music of Iberian Impressions came to life, it spurred Ian Fink’s artistic creativity, leading him to create a painting titled “August 17, 2020.” This painting, featured in the accompanying video, captures the surreal day when San Francisco’s skies were shrouded in orange, a vivid reminder of the wildfires raging in the surrounding areas. The intersection of music and visual art in this project offers a profound and multi-sensory experience, encapsulating a moment in time marked by both cultural richness and environmental poignancy.
The world premiere of Iberian Impressions took place at the SFCCO virtual concert on November 13, 2021 . It was also well-received during its showcase at an art and music event hosted by MENSA later in the same month.
Tags: flute, MENSA, multiphonics