L’Age Mûr (2010)

L’Age Mûr (or the “Age of Maturity”) is a sculpture by Camille Claudel, depicting a young woman on her knees clasping the arm of a man who is being shepherded away by an old woman. The work is thought to express the grief Claudel experienced after her lover (and teacher) – the sculptor Rodin – ended their affair to remain with his wife. Though a more abstract interpretation of the sculpture’s meaning also exists, it is the work’s connection to that very concrete and personal situation that intrigued me. The depth of emotion found in the young woman’s face and figure inspired this eponymous composition for solo flute.

Instrumentation: Flute
Duration: 5:00
Availability: PDF Download.

Written for the 2010 Cortona Sessions