Flames Will Grow

Allison Dromgold Adams and Liz Bouk

Flames Will Grow is an exploration of grief, anger, emptiness, and the various many emotions that accompany the pain of broken love. Rumi’s ancient text portrays a visceral anguish that is still very much a part of our human experience of intimate connection. In my musical setting, I attempt to paint these words with a plethora of extended techniques for both the alto saxophone (key clicks, multiphonics, bisbigliando, flutter tonguing, growl, singing into the instrument while playing, quarter tones) and for the voice (Sprechstimme, glissandi, spoken text, chest voice, wide vibrato, straight tone). The pianist and saxophonist also speak at various times, adding another dimension of depth to the sonic palette.

This work was commissioned by and is dedicated affectionately to both saxophonist Allison Dromgold Adams and her brother: mezzo-soprano Liz Bouk. Allison and I were classmates together at the Ithaca College School of Music from 2002-2006. It is an absolute delight to create this new music for Liz and Allison, ten years after Allison and I first met as students in upstate New York. I am so grateful for their adventurous spirits and ever-curious pursuit of new sounds and combinations, out of which came this gritty and passionate work of art music.

-- Dominick DiOrio

how long
can i lament
with this depressed
heart and soul

how long
can i remain
a sad autumn
ever since my grief
has shed my leaves

the entire space
of my soul
is burning in agony

how long can i
hide the flames
wanting to rise
out of this fire

how long can one suffer
the pain of hatred
of another human
a friend behaving like an enemy

with a broken heart
how much more
can i take the message
from body to soul

i believe in love
i swear by love
believe me my love

how long
like a prisoner of grief
can i beg for mercy

you know i'm not
a piece of rock or steel
but hearing my story
even water will become
as tense as a stone

if i can only recount
the story of my life
right out of my body
flames will grow

Allison Dromgold Adams and Liz Bouk

Flames Will Grow is an exploration of grief, anger, emptiness, and the various many emotions that accompany the pain of broken love. Rumi’s ancient text portrays a visceral anguish that is still very much a part of our human experience of intimate connection. In my musical setting, I attempt to paint these words with a plethora of extended techniques for both the alto saxophone (key clicks, multiphonics, bisbigliando, flutter tonguing, growl, singing into the instrument while playing, quarter tones) and for the voice (Sprechstimme, glissandi, spoken text, chest voice, wide vibrato, straight tone). The pianist and saxophonist also speak at various times, adding another dimension of depth to the sonic palette.

This work was commissioned by and is dedicated affectionately to both saxophonist Allison Dromgold Adams and her brother: mezzo-soprano Liz Bouk. Allison and I were classmates together at the Ithaca College School of Music from 2002-2006. It is an absolute delight to create this new music for Liz and Allison, ten years after Allison and I first met as students in upstate New York. I am so grateful for their adventurous spirits and ever-curious pursuit of new sounds and combinations, out of which came this gritty and passionate work of art music.

-- Dominick DiOrio

how long
can i lament
with this depressed
heart and soul

how long
can i remain
a sad autumn
ever since my grief
has shed my leaves

the entire space
of my soul
is burning in agony

how long can i
hide the flames
wanting to rise
out of this fire

how long can one suffer
the pain of hatred
of another human
a friend behaving like an enemy

with a broken heart
how much more
can i take the message
from body to soul

i believe in love
i swear by love
believe me my love

how long
like a prisoner of grief
can i beg for mercy

you know i'm not
a piece of rock or steel
but hearing my story
even water will become
as tense as a stone

if i can only recount
the story of my life
right out of my body
flames will grow