Oboe, bassoon and piano (2019) – Avian Study no.1
Listen to an excerpt:
This ‘miniature epic’ was inspired by the impressive aerial displays of Swifts flying over our house during the summer. Circles and cycles permeate the music, where the single 6-minute movement is divided into two contrasts sections. The first part is energetic and virtuosic, capturing something of the speed of a hunting scream of swifts through high bassoon lines in counterpoint with fanfares and multi-phonic screeches in the oboe. After a brief transition the second part begins with rotating chords in the piano, as the oboe and bassoon paint/exchange longer, more distant plainchant-like lines, depicting the impression of swifts circling high above. The score is prefaced by the following excerpt from the poem Haymaking by Edward Thomas.
…While over them shrill shrieked in his fierce glee
The swift with wings and tail as sharp and narrow
As if the bow had flown off with the arrow…
Swift was premiered by Ruth Watson (oboe), Olly Galletta (bassoon) and Andrew Morris (piano) at Yarpole Church, Herefordshire on 29th September, 2019.
Preview/buy score here