Ivo van Emmerik: Valise (1993)
for flute, piano and percussion

This work is composed of several solos, duos and trios that were strung together somewhat overlapping. Each category has its own characteristics. The solos are based on harmonic resonances (flute harmonics, piano resonances and a bowed cymbal giving a whole spectrum of harmonic sounds), each duo combination on a specific interval and the trios on ascending modes. Within the given time limits a fragment is to be repeated several times, each time in a different tempo. Apart from that, Valise (an anagram of C'est la vie) contains some 'autobiographical' elements: different instrumental manners of writing coming from other compositions of mine that were put in another context.

There are several references to Morton Feldman in this work, which is why it is dedicated to him. First, of course, the instrumentation (flute, piano and percussion), of which Feldman claimed to be the inventor (like Haydn who had invented the string quartet). Also, I quote the ascending scale from Why Patterns?, although this time in a totally different metrical/rhythmical (or notational) environment. One could certainly call these references "autobiographical", since I was still impressed by our meetings at the time.

Ivo van Emmerik