Tout de Sour

OMP035 Elisabeth Middleton Tout de Sour

Tout de Sour, by Australian composer and educator ElisabethMiddleton, is a companion piece to her work Tour de Sweet, also for recorder quartet (OMP 013).  Like Tour de Sweet, this work is in three brief movements, each with expression markings relating to sourness - "With acerbity", "With less acerbity", and "With more acerbity".  Throughout the piece, "biting" sonorities and dissonances are used to good effect.  There are no expression or phrasing marks except for dynamics.  It is moderately easy, and the ensemble texture is almost entirely homophonic.  It would be an excellent choice for a group wanting to "expand their harmonic palate" slightly without trying anything too difficult.  Score and parts are easy to read. There are no page turns except between movements.

Carson P. Cooman, The American Recorder, September 2001

1. With accerbity 

2. With less acerbity 

3. With more acerbity