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PROGRAM NOTES
FIREWORKS was commissioned by The Flute Society of Washington, in celebration of its 50th year and its 25th annual Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention. I was asked to create something celebratory, counting on a large ensemble with many parts available for the premiere. Writing "orchestrally" with a lot of contrasting counterpoint and dazzling textures, I opted to call the ensemble Flute Orchestra rather than the more standard Flute Choir. To evoke celebratory fireworks, the music has sections that suddenly whoosh upward and then sprinkle back down, imitating the visual effect of actual fireworks.
FIREWORKS was premiered at the February 2016 Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention in Reston, VA, with 62 performers conducted by George Pope. While I anticipated this extravaganza might never be performed again, it has been performed frequently at NFA conventions, regional flute fairs, and on campuses.
REVIEWS
"Daniel Dorff's Fireworks lives up to its name, offering a high-energy piece for flute choirs of 11 or more players. Fireworks adeptly conveys an air of exuberance and jubilation.
"Dorff articulates the work's inspirations in the score, noting that 'real pyrotechnic fireworks typically shoot upward quickly and neatly, pop at the top, and then cascade downward slowly in a beautifully out-of-sync descent. Fireworks has many passages musically depicting this crisp upward whoosh exploding into downward sprinkles, often punctuated by a pop at the top.'
"Dorff beautifully illustrates this display with flowing runs, often overlapping or containing staggered entrances. These virtuosic passages are frequently contrasted against tutti rhythmic figures. The inclusion of bell tones in the latter portion of the piece creates additional interest and highlights the antiphonal echo audible at the end of the work.
"The score and parts reflect the same attention to detail as the work itself. Parts are clean and exhibit meticuous attention to detail, with clear instructions and carefully prescribed dynamics and articulations.
"The score is equally visually pleasing, with consistent spacing and clear notation. Dorff's choice to include a transposed score is an added bonus for the conductor.
"While the composite effect is harmonically and rhythmically adventurous, individual parts lay well on the instrument due to the scalar nature of technical runs. Daniel Dorff's Fireworks would make a dazzling addition to any flute choir recital."
– The Flutist Quarterly (Shelley Martinson), Summer 2017
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