Audio Sample
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From the CD Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 69. |
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Non-Commercial
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CD
Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 69.
Library shelf no. CD 2768 [Available for loan]
Display all products featuring this work (6 more) 
Work Overview
One of my favourite walks in Sydney's Centennial Park is the path
through the densely wooded Lachlan Swamp. This piece is inspired
by my experiences of sitting quietly amongst the Paperbark trees
and listening to the birds and insects there. In the music, bird
calls and the rapid, darting, bird movements are suggested
through the lively variations of the main melody. This 'bird'
music is balanced by held high notes and slow, free-flowing
phrases that symbolise a kind of deep tranquility or
contemplative silence that is so easy to slip into while sitting
in nature. My musical expression of that stillness is, in part,
influenced by Japanese Gagaku and its free-flowing, breath-length
phrasing.
As Small Birds Play can be performed with a birdcall
soundtrack that I recorded in Carpertee Valley NSW. This area is
home to over 200 species of birds including the yellow faced
honey eater and grey shrike-thrush that feature prominently in
the recording.
Work Details
Year: 2011
Instrumentation: Bb clarinet with optional backing CD.
Duration: 5 min.
Difficulty: Medium
First performance: by Sue Newsome — Nov 12. Centennial Park, Sydney, 125th Anniversary launch
Subjects
- Inspired by: Birdsong
Performances of this work
Unknown date.
20 Oct 2019: at Composer Portrait: Corrina Bonshek & Margery Smith (Annandale Creative Arts Centre). Featuring Ian Sykes.
12 Mar 17: featuring Ros Dunlop.
11 Mar 2017: at PLACE: Concert 2 (Articulate (gallery)). Featuring Ros Dunlop.
29 Oct 2016: at Sirius Chamber Ensemble: Birdsong (Christ Church, Lavender Bay). Featuring Sirius Chamber Ensemble.
Nov 12: Centennial Park, Sydney, 125th Anniversary launch. Featuring Sue Newsome.
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