Gryphon - Clarinet Unaccompanied

Theresa Martin (b. 1979) is a composer of energetic, melodious, and rhythmically driven music and often draws her inspiration from literature, images, nature, and personal experiences. In Martin's words: "While composing the opening gesture of Gryphon, I envisioned a magnificent creature possessing a magical and seductive aura standing proudly on the cliffs on an ocean. He is wild and quick-tempered, yet he can be surprisingly calm and gentle at times. Gryphon portrays the characteristics I imagine this mythical beast would have. Physically, a gryphon is commonly depicted as having the head, wings and talons of an eagle, the body of a lion, and in some cases, the tail of a snake. According to legends, the gryphon is blessed with the speed, flight, and penetrating vision of the eagle, and the strength, courage and majesty of the lion."