Manitowabing (performance scores) - FL/OB

Manitowabing
for flute and oboe
by José Serebrier (b. 1938) - Uruguayan conductor and composer The ravishingly beautiful land in the center of Ontario, Canada captivated my imagination on first sight. Here along the banks of the Manitou-Wabing River, my friends Ben and Sheila Wise had constructed a most elaborate yet informal sports complex. Provided with both calm solitude and much physical activity, and grateful for the free time away from conducting, I completed several compositions, of which Manitowabing was the first. "Manitou" is an Indian word for "place of the Great Spirit". I have attempted to reflect this spiritual element in the music, as well as the more playful side of my stay there. The work was written at the suggestion of a talented young oboist, Michael Kamen, who has since become an acclaimed composer of film music; he participated in the first performance. 
--José Serebrier