Greenaway, Sally - Of Moths and Moonlight for flute and piano

Of Moths and Moonlight offers a poetic meditation on the experience of grief and loss.

Over many centuries moths have been a muse for artists, who often depict them as symbols of transformation, metamorphosis and the fleeting nature of life itself.

Moths are beautiful and delicate creatures whose iridescent wings are like precious jewels or diamonds glittering in the moonlight as they flutter across the night sky. Though they remain elusive by day, when darkness descends they emerge, guided by the moonlight for navigation, longing for a glowing light source for their aerial dances.

The opening pianissimo tremolo on the piano evokes the fragile fluttering of wings, while the flute sings tender whispers of the moth's journey, serving as a metaphor for the unpredictability of life's journey and the sense of loss and emptiness that accompanies the passing of a loved one.

As the piece unfolds, we are drawn into a complex and profound landscape, tinged with melancholy and evoking a deep sense of longing. But there are also moments of sublime beauty and ethereal lightness. As the piece nears its conclusion, it gradually becomes increasingly transcendent, bringing a sense of catharsis and release that transports the listener to a new place of understanding and enlightenment.

The brief and fragile life of an adult moth, whose contemplative companion is the moon resting among the stars, serves as a reminder of the intrinsic power of music to heal and transform our hearts and souls.

The piece was commissioned by the Bowral Autumn Music Festival 2023 and expertly premiered by Sally Walker (flute) and Vivian Choi Milton (piano).