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Konza Parable (score & parts) - WW5/PN
Composer: Morris, Alyssa
Publisher: TrevCo
Edition: 71269
$32.00
Konza Parable
for woodwind sextet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, and piano)
by Alyssa Morris (b. 1984) - American composer
Burn
Ashes
Growth
Commissioned by ROCO. For a YouTube performance click HERE.
ABOUT THE MUSIC - FROM THE COMPOSER
Konza Parable is a musical depiction of my own reflections of the burning of the Konza Prairie. Movements are I. Burn, II. Ashes, and III. Growth.
The Konza Prairie is a tallgrass preserve located in the Flint Hills of northeastern Kansas. Fire plays an important role in the development of a tallgrass prairie. Each year, much of the Konza Prairie is treated with prescribed burns, preventing the possibility of woody plants taking over and allowing the tallgrass to come back stronger. The burning of the Konza Prairie is beautiful to behold. In the springtime, the prairie frequently glows with yellow, orange, and red strips of dancing fire. This is especially stunning against the dark and lonely night sky.
I frequently visit the Konza Prairie. I enjoy hiking its beautiful trails. I enjoy witnessing the changing seasons of the prairie. Last spring, I hiked the Konza Prairie right after a prescribed burn. The smoking hills were covered in ash, completely barren. Then, just a few weeks later, bright green buds began to peek through the dirt and ash. Gradually these buds became tall blades of grass. Just a month or two later, I hiked the prairie again, marveling at the deep green tallgrass waving in the wind.
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Alyssa Morris is Associate Professor of Oboe/Music Theory at Kansas State University, principal oboist of the Topeka Symphony and Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley, and founding member of AGLOW Trio. She has performed in venues throughout the US, Europe, Thailand, and New Zealand. She was concerto soloist at the Kennedy Center, and recitalist at the 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2023 International Double Reed Conventions. Her solo albums, “A Higher Place” and "Ruminations" were hailed by American Record Guide as “gorgeous and thoughtful” and by Fanfare Magazine as "pure gold.” In their 2023 album, AGLOW was applauded by Fanfare for their “arresting unity,” giving “performances that shimmer with energy.” Alyssa is a 2021 American Prize (AP) finalist in performance, and AGLOW is a 2022 AP Finalist in Chamber Music. Alyssa teaches oboe and composition master classes throughout the United States and abroad.
American Record Guide writes that Alyssa’s compositions have “charm and substance.” She is a two-time International Barlow Composition Commission Winner, and was ROCO’s 2020-2021 Composer-In-Residence. Alyssa has been commissioned to compose for Carolyn Hove (English horn, LA Phil), the US Air Force WWQ, the Richmond Symphony, cellist Andres Diaz, Katherine Needleman (principal oboist, BSO), Egide Duo, and more. Alyssa’s music has been presented at the conventions of IDRS, NFA, ICA, CMS, NACWPI, the World Flutes Festival, Japan Oboe Society, and SCI. Alyssa’s works were required pieces for the IDRS Young Artist Competition, the International Virtual Oboe Competition, the Spanish Double Reed Society Young Artist Competition, and recommended works on the Australian Music Examinations Board.
For more information, please visit the composer's website HERE.
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