Two Ancient Prayers for Bass Flute Solo by David Loeb. From the composer: "In more than a half-century of traveling to many countries I have come to appreciate the diverse ways in which religious communities use music as part of worship. The first Prayer reflects hearing the rich sounds of groups of women in Japan and Indonesia singing in a tenor register. The second Prayer, composed after the first one had had several performances, presented the challenge of maintaining the context of the first one without losing contrast. It has some relation to the meditative flute music associated with early Buddhist worship in Japan. The register and tone quality of the bass flute seem particularly suitable for music of this character."