The Book of Goddesses (Upcoming)
for flute, harp, percussion and dancers

Duration: ca. 30'-35'
Instrumentation: flute, harp, percussion and optional dancers
Commissioned by MAYA; partially funded by the New York State Council on the Arts
Premiere: TBA
Publisher: Robert Paterson Music (ASCAP)

The Book of Goddesses was commissioned by MAYA, a flute, harp and percussion trio. One of my primary inspirations for this work and the source of the title is the lavishly illustrated book of the same name by Kris Waldherr, a Brooklyn based author, illustrator, designer and cellist. Waldherr’s book contains descriptions and images of hundreds of female deities from around the world, some featured more prominently than others. I was also inspired by the equally beautiful book Goddesses by Burleigh Muten.

Rather than focus on goddesses in a particular culture, I will highlight a few that seem to evoke something musical and/or dance-related. The cultures and countries I draw on for musical material and styles are India, Japan, Nigeria, North America, Cuba, Italy, Ireland, Mexico and Greece. This work capitalizes on the large collection of world percussion instruments that Maya’s John Hadfield has in his collection, including the Udu drum, an instrument traditionally played by Nigerian women. The flute and harp parts will be designed to either be performed on traditional instruments (C flute, piccolo, alto flute and harp), or using instruments from around the world, such as a traditional Irish harp and flutes from various cultures. The harp part may also incorporate a new muting device being invented by Maya’s harpist, Jacqui Kerrod.

The Book of Goddesses will contain nine movements of three to five minutes each, for a total of ca. 30-35 minutes, and may be performed with choreographed live dance or as a stand-alone concert work. Although it may be presented in its entirety, movement subsets or even single movements may be extracted and performed.

– Robert Paterson