Periscope down. Full speed ahead! U-Boats, sea-monsters, sunken treasures….. peril and wonder await. A short, simple unison melody lends an air of nobility as we summon our courage and prepare for the journey. We set sail in the damp grey air among a low and supple flutter in the flutes. The unison melody returns and we are allowed one last chance to steel our nerves as we begin our descent. Once in the depths, previous themes in the flutes, once simple and clear, are now distorted and grotesque. Dark forms slowly appear and then vanish. Shadows separate and then merge again. We’re reaching the sea floor. Nothing is as it seems.

    And now we’re off…. racing through an underwater universe. A powerful churning ostinato propels us forward as the flutes play out the subaquatic scene. Consonance blends with dissonance, mystery and adventure are intertwined with danger. Each flute explores a different end of their register as altered scales explore expanded harmonies. A brief stop here, a quick investigation there, and then we charge forward once again in the murky depths…..

    The return home.. We begin our ascent as the music climbs persistently by way of stacked thirds. Once out of harms way we glide effortlessly and serenely forward through the water while a new texture of triplets swim to and fro in the accompaniment. Previous themes return as we near our destination. Rising higher, we’re almost there. The light above grows stronger. Our hearts beat faster with anticipation as we reach ever upward toward the light, the air, the land….. home.