Program Note:

The Scolds was inspired by an article I read on the policing of women’s speech in medieval England. A “scold” was a derogatory term, aimed particularly at women who caused trouble, disturbed the peace, or simply committed the crime of having an opinion. In common law in England and Wales, a “common scold” was seen as a public nuisance. As punishment, scolds were essentially muzzled with what was called a Scold’s Bridle. The bridle was used to hold their tongue, as a form of torture, and as public humiliation. For The Scolds, I imagined the mouthpiece of the flute as a Scold’s Bridle. The musical material is initially obscured and stunted, but eventually, as the piece unfolds, the idea of this bridle is not powerful enough to curb what needs to be said.