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PROGRAM NOTES
(coming soon)
REVIEWS
"Evoking the expansive landscape and natural wonder of Montana, Daniel Dorff's Big Sky is an American postcard of texture and curiosity. The first movement, "Montana Morning," paints a Copland-esque flat open landscape and mysterious sunrise. The second movement, "Dancing Under the Stars," is a sprightly and frantic dance under the bright stars of the expansive sky. An asset to the flute, viola, and harp trio repertoire, every voice is dynamic and expressive with wonderful interplay, making it a joy to play and experience. This creative and fun work will quickly become any flutist's favorite trio."
– The Flutist Quarterly, Summer 2025
"At the center of the album is a commissioned work by American composer Daniel Dorff. With Dorff's characteristic Americana sense of hope and wide-open spaces,
the two contrasting movements, "Montana Morning" and "Dancing Under the Stars," unfold with a nearly cinematic sweep. Delayed by the pandemic, this splendid
addition to the repertoire is especially welcome."
– Harp Column (Alison Young), January-February 2026
"Theodore Presser Company has published a trio for flute, viola, and harp by Daniel Dorff. Big Sky was inspired by the majesty of the Big Sky state, and it was commissioned and premiered by the Hat Trick Trio (April Clayton, flute, David Wallace, viola, and Kristi Shade, harp). There are two movements with a total performance time of 12 minutes.
The first movement, “Montana Morning,” delightfully depicts the awakening of the vast countryside. It is about three and a half minutes and concludes with gentle harmonics on the harp.
The second movement, “Dancing under the Stars,” is an energetic succession of dances. It incorporates special effects such as scale glisses, gushing chords, pedal slides, and harmonics. There are meter changes that become more frequent as the piece progresses. Page turns were thoughtfully considered, and several pedal charts are included throughout the harp part. The many pedals are written below the staff."
– Harp Column (Jan Jennings), November-December 2025
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