Avian (2017)

for orchestra

Duration: 5:15

Note:

Enter into the world of birds in this work that represents an entire day in avian nature. Our journey begins with the solitary mourning dove, cooing its melancholic song in the early moments of sunrise. The small birds of the morning happily greet each other in the woodwinds as they bustle about their work. All their glee is snatched away in an instant when the dreaded hawk call is heard from the horns. The host of birds flee as fast as their wings can take them and scatter to various expanses of their ranges. One by one, each bird finds its way to safety as the raptors soar high, rising on updrafts and gliding on the strong winds. The majesty of these raptors is short-lived though, as the golden rays of sun eventually diminish. This dreary time of dusk does not deter the mockingbird, however, who hears the echoes of previous birds and repeats them in his jaunty character. As skies darken to the black of night, eerie sounds of the nightjars and owls creep into the landscape. Ultimately, the gradual process of sunrise begins in the strings, and reaches up to the heavens by growing into the whole orchestra. The day cycle comes full circle by returning to the mourning dove, although now it is joined by the orchestra, cooing together as day breaks.

This work incorporates motives taken directly from the calls and songs of various birds present in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, several of which are catalogued below.