Program Note:

The love triangle in this piece consists of a flute, a cello, and a trio comprised of two violins and a viola. The first movement, Serenade, introduces the cello backed up by the trio. After a short solo ritornello for the cello, the flute, again, backed up by the trio, is presented in a Pavane. A highly contrapuntal Quodlibet in which the flute and cello compete for the attention of the trio climaxes in a Vivace in which they all play in unison. Another 'cello ritornello ensues, during which swatches of the Serenade give way to a hand-off to the flute, which ends the ritornello. Finally, a Melodía for the flute and trio begins with the flute shadowed an octave higher by the viola playing harmonics. The piece ends with the 'cello re-entering for a final ritornello: all the players accompany the 'cello as the flute picks up its melody, recapitulating the Serenade with which the piece began. Commissioned by the Music of Our Time Ensemble, Bruce Wolosoff, Artistic Director, The Presence Absence Makes was premiered by Robert Stallman and members of the ensemble at Alice Tully Hall, New York City on 6 April 1988.

Selected Review:

Mr. Hagen has added a flute to four strings, but there is everywhere the same melancholic quietude and a warm, rounded tonal style touched lightly with austerity [as in the Debussy G minor Quartet]. The music is in five movements, and nowhere does urgency or violence intrude on leisure. The language is familiar but not suspiciously so, perhaps because the thoughts behind it seem genuine.

— Bernard Holland, The New York Times, 4/9/88