The Red Birds for Flute and Piano
- Uses extended techniques
- Staff Pick
Staff Pick
“Interesting recital material.”
This is a very good choice for anyone wanting something less ordinary which uses simple extended techniques and is approachable on the page. Sky Dancer weaves colour patterns between the flute and piano before the flute depicts the graceful flight a single bird across the sky. Imaginative writing takes us directly to the world of the Woodpecker with fingernail trills on the piano frame and insistent rhythms on the flute. This is energetic and vibrant making a great contrast with the Cuckoo which is simpler and more atmospheric. Each movement could be played on its own so this is definitely worth a try.
From the Publisher
This piece is inspired by three of the birds on the red list. These are birds listed as being endangered in the UK by the RSPB.
1) Sky Dancer: This music is inspired by the Hen Harrier. The male performs a sky dance over and over again to attract a female. The music is made up of little patterns that are not quite synchronised. Towards the end of the movement, they come closer together and ultimately connect.
2) The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker: This is inspired by the drilling of the bird and also its habit of hopping back and forth on tree branches.
3) The Cuckoo: This is based on a folk song 'The Cuckoo is a pretty bird' though the folk song is not heard in its entirety until the very end. When it is heard, the piano effectively takes over and destroys the folk song.
The Red Birds lasts approximately eleven minutes and thirty seconds.
The Red Birds was commissioned by the Animo Duo in 2019 and is dedicated to them.
Honourable Mention: Newly Published Music Awards 2023
Performance duration (approx): 11'30
Movements
- Sky Dancer
- The Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
- The Cuckoo
Item Details
Instrumentation
- Part 1: Flute
- Part 2: Piano
Publisher: Tetractys Publishing
Publisher's reference: 101512/5
Our Stock Code: 1643459
Media Type: Paperback
