Eight Noble Miniatures For Flute and Harp David V. Montoya

Of the four Noble Truths of Buddhism, the last is the Eightfold Path to happiness and to the elimination of suffering. Eight Noble Miniatures is a meditation on that philosophy. This path is often pictured as a wheel with eight spokes. Each spoke on the wheel represents a way of seeing life from a compassionate point of view, for both oneself and for others. In my setting each movement stands for each spoke, beginning and ending with Right Mindfulness. David V. Montoya Buy this music now    Score: £15.00 + p&p

About David V. Montoya

Eight Noble Miniatures
For Flute and Harp
David V. Montoya

Of the four Noble Truths of Buddhism, the last is the Eightfold Path to happiness and to the elimination of suffering. Eight Noble Miniatures is a meditation on that philosophy. This path is often pictured as a wheel with eight spokes. Each spoke on the wheel represents a way of seeing life from a compassionate point of view, for both oneself and for others. In my setting each movement stands for each spoke, beginning and ending with Right Mindfulness.

Musically, each movement is based on a mode that is different from our traditional western major/minor paradigm. Every mode is drawn from other world cultures. While the entire piece may seem very chromatic at times, the unique harmony comes from the various combinations of tones from each mode creating possibly unfamiliar sounds to the western-conditioned ear. Where these pieces can sound very chromatic to some listeners, they are in fact all diatonic!

Since the piece was conceived as a wheel, it begins and ends with the same movement. Great care has been taken to balance the various musical elements around the wheel. So, for example, a piece with a minor third from tonic to mediant, is balanced with one using a major third. Further, a movement in a simple meter is balanced with a movement in a compound meter - slow vs. fast, solo harp vs. solo flute, etc. This arrangement creates a smooth and flowing progression of miniatures that leads the listener on a unique journey from a place of repose to the exact same mindful movement.

Each movement has a different tonic. If one tracks those notes clockwise starting from G, they will discover a mode called Bairov-with-Two-Fourths spelled G - Ab - B - C - C# - D - Eb - F# - G. This helps in the organization of the piece, but is not necessarily crucial to the auditory experience.

And speaking of such, while each miniature is titled (tempo marked) using the Eightfold Path, the music is not necessarily supposed to "sound like the words." For example, the music for Right Livelihood is not a representation of the idea of earning a living. Each title was simply a starting point to spark musical ideas. The Buddhist concept of removing all concepts is thus faithfully worked into the fabric of the piece.

David V. Montoya - May 2019

This diagram is the organizing graphic for the entire work. In it, you can see the worldly modes used, time signatures, and other pertinent information. In general, each movement has qualities in direct opposition to the movement on the opposite side of the wheel. The repeat of the first movement, Right Mindfulness, demonstrates the circular nature of the Eightfold Path.

 

Eight Noble Miniatures

Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Right Vision
Right Intention
Right Action
Right Speech
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eight Noble Miniatures for Flute and Harp by David V. Montoya

This new piece for harp and flute duo explores the Buddhist Eightfold Path with sweet melodies, and striking harmonies. The final movement is a reprise of the 1st. This piece was recorded in July of 2022 with two beautifully talented musicians: Laura Griffin-Casey on harp and Martin Glicklich on flute. It was a joy to work with these new friends and to hear them realize my music. Enjoy! - David V. Montoya

 

 

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Front cover of the harp part (score)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:	Eight Noble Miniatures
Contents:	Suite of 8 Movements
Composer:	David V. Montoya
Instrumentation:	Flute & Pedal Harp
Level:	Intermediate to Advanced
Duration:	c. 16:10
Format:	US Letter stapled, set of parts
ISBN:	9790570464227
Publisher:	Creighton's Collection
Edition/Year:	First Edition January 2024
Origin:	UK
Our Ref:	SM0733