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Ribbons of Visible Air was inspired by some of the fascinating extended saxophone techniques developed by François Houle. The title stems from a mental image I have of long, colourful ribbons of sound streaming from the bell of the soprano saxophone. The required technical virtuosity suggests a sort of concerto-like piece, with contrasting passages of rapid arpeggiation and resonant lyricism. The harmonic, melodic and textural transformations of repeated material create a sort of variation form in which a variety of musical ideas can be explored, including timbre, rhythm, register, and the relationships between the different instruments comprising the ensemble. The piece was commissioned by the Standing Wave Ensemble with the assistance of the Canada Council. -BL
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