Empathie
Woodwind Quintet - Sheet Music

Woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn in F, bassoon) - Intermediate-Advanced

SKU: FT.FM620

Composed by Blair Thomson. Score and parts. Published by Forton Music (FT.FM620).

ISBN 979-0-57048-519-2.

To empathize is to attempt to understand the feelings, thoughts, or experiences of the ''other.'' It is part of a “minimum ethic.” The three movements may be considered exemplifications of the significant effort required to do so. Why is empathy important? It seems to me we are living during a time when face to face human contact is undervalued; hence a turn towards the ominous. ''Cultural disintegration'' is a reflection of North American indigenous cultural change over time. ''Generations X,Y, Q'' takes its point of departure from the incredible speed with which opinions of others are made after clicking a computer mouse. Finally, ''Love from the Obverse'' is a set of miniature variations guided by empathizing with someone else's love for another. Thus the movement, as well as the entire piece, is dedicated to Sylvie-Anne. Empathie was commissioned by Pantaèdre with the support of Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. Premiered by Pentaèdre, 2 February, 2010, Tanna-Schulich Hall, Montréal.