Gala FLAGELLO: E Pluribus Unum
Performers: Matt Albert, violin and Kirsten Docter, viola
E Pluribus Unum (2023)
Instrumentation: Violin and viola
Duration: 8:00
Program note:
E Pluribus Unum (2023) was written for Matt Albert and is inspired by a motto of the United States, meaning "out of many, one." Although the national motto was legally changed to "In God We Trust" in 1956, I admire the earlier one's emphasis on togetherness, shared identity, and solidarity, despite our differences. What if we were to officially readopt this saying and live by its directive of camaraderie, cooperation, and understanding? Musically, E Pluribus Unum explores this question through harmony and unison, shared and opposing dynamics, and range extremes. The piece also incorporates the traditional melody for dona nobis pacem ("grant us peace")—hope for the future of this country's people and the world's. Many thanks to Matt for his kindness and support, and for being a tireless champion of new music.
About Gala Flagello
Gala Flagello (b. 1994) is a composer, educator, and nonprofit director whose work is inspired by a passion for lyricism, rhythmic vitality, and fostering meaningful collaboration. With music described as “both flesh and spirit, intensely psychological without sacrificing concrete musical enjoyment” (I Care If You Listen), Flagello collaborates with leading ensembles, artists, initiatives, and institutions nationally and internationally to craft impactful projects for performers and audiences alike. She is the Festival Director and co-founder of the nonprofit contemporary music festival Connecticut Summerfest, and has been a Composition Fellow at Tanglewood Music Center, the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music, and Aspen Music Festival.
Upcoming season premieres include Bravado for wind band by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Vitality for wind band by the Youth Performing Arts School Wind Ensemble at the Midwest Clinic, and Until My Last Breath by Horns of the Heartland. Additional highlights include performances across the country by a number of professional and collegiate orchestras.
Striving to use music as a vehicle for social change, Flagello frequently engages with topics such as environmental advocacy, gender equity, and mental health in her work, as seen in a number of recent collaborations. Her music will appear on upcoming albums including violinist Matt Albert’s &Violin (E Pluribus Unum) and saxophonist Jeff Siegfried’s Shades (Candlewood).
Gala is a passionate educator in the classroom, privately, and as a guest lecturer. In her teaching, she enthusiastically works with students to develop fledgling ideas into fully realized pieces, examine repertoire from Saint-Georges to Saariaho, and incorporate non-musical elements such as visual art and technology into their work. Please visit www.galaflagello.com for more information.
