Return (2023)
FOR FLUTE, CLARINET IN B FLAT, VIOLIN, CELLO, & PERCUSSION.
about
RETURN
RETURN, WAS composed for ensemble offspring as part of the 2023 hatched composer intensive and was PREMIERED on 11 november 2023 at ENSEMBLE OFFSPRING’s HATCHED COMPOSER SHOWCASE.
The work explores the concept of “returning” to a place that one has never been to before. An island that was home only a few generations past.
The wide array of responses and emotions in such a situation are the main focus of the piece, alongside exploration of connection to people and place when the passage of time is a factor in the experience.
the work was inspired by a trip to the island of zakynthos in greece, where Isabella’s grandmother is from. her experience visiting a place her ancestors lived is captured in return. the work also includes the use of olive tree branches and a rock and shell (from the island itself) as part of the percussion.
images: jared underwood
“ISABELLA RAHME’S RETURN TOOK THE AUDIENCE ON A JOURNEY TO AN ISLAND IN THE GREEK ARCHIPELAGO…[AND] CREATED AN EVOCATIVE ATMOSPHERE REMINISCENT OF ANCIENT GREEK TRAGEDIES…”
— PEPE NEWTON FOR CLASSIKON
zakynthos, greece
an island in the ionian sea with beautiful natural landscapes.
photos taken by isabella during her travels.
Isabella Rahme 