Henning's Headquarters

[Karl Henning]

When the church in Danvers canned me, my stealth snark joked that at least I'd be able to sleep late through Holy Week and Easter. Of course, I have none to blame but myself that my volunteerism has reduced my "beauty rest" for here I am, up earlier than might be because my friend Josh will pick me up to get me to church to rehearse the Palm Sunday processional before church. Another thing I cannot blame on anyone else is: I awoke well before my already-early alarm because my musical brain got this peculiar idea for the third Op. 178 flute duet. Once again, it's either goofy or it's genius. In either event, I cannot really get to work testing it until we've commemorated the entry into Jerusalem.

[Karl Henning]

My teacher Judith Shatin tuned in to the concert and left a nice comment. For her amusement I've sent both flute duet #2 and the recent Fantasia. I've sent the same to Jack Gallagher, too.

[Cato]

When the church in Danvers canned me, my stealth snark joked that at least I'd be able to sleep late through Holy Week and Easter. Of course, I have none to blame but myself that my volunteerism has reduced my "beauty rest" for here I am, up earlier than might be because my friend Josh will pick me up to get me to church to rehearse the Palm Sunday processional before church. Another thing I cannot blame on anyone else is: I awoke well before my already-early alarm because my musical brain got this peculiar idea for the third Op. 178 flute duet. Once again, it's either goofy or it's genius. In either event, I cannot really get to work testing it until we've commemorated the entry into Jerusalem.

Great to learn that the musical gears and cogs are still gearing and cogging!

[Karl Henning]

A highly gratifying morning: the choir, plus the Pastor herself did a fine job with the Processional Anthem. A fellow bass thanked me for my participation and credited me with helping to keep everything together. I spoke with the Pastor to see where things stood with the (hopeful) appearance of the Henning Ensemble at the Church. nearby was a parishioner also involved in the Council, so it turned out that in essence, we've been approved, and it remains basically to settle on a date. Last and not least, Greta is game to participate in the Ensemble, so I fold a bassoon into the scoring for the summer concert in the Woburn Public Library.

[Karl Henning]

... my musical brain got this peculiar idea for the third Op. 178 flute duet ....

I've not yet put it to the test, but in principle I think it may just work. On the ride in to church, I found the title (a couple of first ideas I had been turning yesterday simply did not make the cut.)
Therefore let the Opus 178 № 3 be nominated Janky Juke Joint

[Karl Henning]

I've not yet put it to the test ....

Its having been quite an early and active day, I'm deferring all compositional work until tomorrow.

[Karl Henning]

By the way, the original recorder version of the Billings Fantasy will be part of the Good Friday service.

[Karl Henning]

The Un-Hip Hop Warn't the End of It

To state the obvious, I seem motivated to blog more consistently. In 2025 the blog has already seen the most posts since 2020.

[Karl Henning]

Well, thank you, YouTube. Another piece and performance I'd clean forgot!

[Karl Henning]

My teacher Judith Shatin tuned in to the concert and left a nice comment. For her amusement I've sent both flute duet #2 and the recent Fantasia. I've sent the same to Jack Gallagher, too.

Judith writes back:

Thanks for sending along both of these. The rhythmic play in the Fantasia is fun, and you certainly take it to some wonderfully twisting places! Will this be performed soon? Hope so!

[Karl Henning]

So, say we have concerts at Redeemer in May and in the Library during the summer. With the understanding that we want to "brush up" music recently-ish performed, to keep it in our rep, as well as bring forward new pieces, what might the program look like?

Dark Side of the Dance Floor
Alan Westby's Quiet Girl  (revised version) 7:00
Down Along the Canal to Minerva Road 7:00
Pam Marshall's Carvoeiro Clifftop Walk (revised version) 7:00
Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels 7:00
Dark Side of the Sun, Op. 193 (première) 8:30

Intermission

Snootful of Hooch 8:30
A Dance Floor for the Introverted, Op. 178 no. 2 (première) 6:00
Fantasia on a Theme by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Op. 197 (première) 8:00
Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be, Op. 191 2:00

It's an hour's program.

[Cato]

And I've now connected with the percussionist. Among other pieces, @Cato I'll send him The Mysterious Fruit.

For the uninitiated:

[Karl Henning]

So, say we have concerts at Redeemer in May and in the Library during the summer. With the understanding that we want to "brush up" music recently-ish performed, to keep it in our rep, as well as bring forward new pieces, what might the program look like?
Dark Side of the Dance Floor
Alan Westby: Quiet Girl (revised version) 7:00
Down Along the Canal to Minerva Road 7:00
Pam Marshall: Carvoeiro Clifftop Walk (revised version) 7:00
KH: Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels 7:00
Dark Side of the Sun, Op. 193 (première) 8:30
Intermission
Snootful of Hooch 8:30
A Dance Floor for the Introverted, Op. 178 no. 2 (première) 6:00
Fantasia on a Theme by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Op. 197 (première) 8:00
Nostalgia Ain't What It Used to Be, Op. 191 2:00
It's an hour's program.

Such a program must be properly documented, so I've reached to our friend Matt Samolis to study the feasibility of his recording either (both?) of the concerts.

[Karl Henning]

A Golden Oldie blog post:

An Introduction to White Nights

[Karl Henning]

I've just made a start on the Op. 178 № 3. Per my fair disclosure, it's either goofy or sublime, but I think I can make it fly. This is a literal transcription of how I heard the opening in my inner ear. For whatever passel of reasons, my energy is not high today, so I've contented myself simply with thus breaking ground

[Karl Henning]

It's almost like a dream. I've always wished that Todd Brunel would add his superb clarinet to the Henning Ensemble, and here, the Opus 197 Fantasia has so fired him up that he texted me, "I really love your piece and can't wait to play it. When and where my friend?!😊 Come on let's do this!"

Sommes-Nous Devenus Sixtuor?

[Cato]

It's almost like a dream. I've always wished that Todd Brunel would add his superb clarinet to the Henning Ensemble, and here, the Opus 197 Fantasia has so fired him up that he texted me, "I really love your piece and can't wait to play it. When and where my friend?!😊 Come on let's do this!"

Sommes-Nous Devenus Sixtuor?

Let the good news keep on coming!!!

[Karl Henning]

I've begun adding a clarinet and a bassoon to Down Along the Canal to Minerva Road. Really there are numerous passages which will benefit from fuller chords.

[Kalevala]

Here's the work that Karl was talking about his friend wanting to perform:

Good job there Karl!  I just listened to it. 

K

[Karl Henning]

Here's the work that Karl was talking about his friend wanting to perform:

Good job there Karl!  I just listened to it. 

K

Thank you much!