Stephen Lias: Lechuguilla: Duo pour Bois Mixte

In the Carlsbad Caverns National Park system, Lechuguilla was known as a small historic site with little importance. It wasn't until 1986 that a group of cavers broke through to discover what would eventually become more than 136 miles of mapped passages and caverns, making this the fifth longest cave in the world. Several documentaries have witnessed the exploration of Lechuguilla, and access today is limited to approved scientific researchers, survey and exploration teams. Lias expresses the magnificence and mystery of Lechuguilla in a duo for wind (breath) instruments. This five-minute work for flute and clarinet explores the interrelationships between themes representingair,rock, and water. It combines traditional techniques with extended demands on the players including key clicks, air blown through instrument, harmonics, and pitch bending.