Bird Songs (opus 66 nr 2)
1 piccolo flute, 1 clarinet, 1 tenor sax doubling on soprano, 1 trombone doubling on euphonium, 4 high voices [2 soprano and 2 altos/ alternatively 2 countertenors and 2 tenors], 2 percussionists [vibraphone with pedal and motor, flexatone, suspended cymbal, whip, high wood block], keyboard, 1 violin, 1 guitar, 1 cello, 1 string bass, pre-recorded avian sounds and bird calls
Programme notes
Bird Songs opus 66 no. 2 composed in 2015, serves as the continuation of the earlier Bird Songs opus 66 No. 1 (2009). While the first series focused on the calls of species currently threatened with extinction, the second series addresses a more tragic theme: it lists all 39 bird species that were once resident on the island of Singapore but have become extinct in Singapore since 1940.
Opus 66 No. 2 is structured similarly to the first piece, consisting of a set of twelve variations on a twelve-note row. Since recordings of the extinct birds could not be made in Singapore, the bird calls for this work were sourced from neighboring countries, Malaysia and Indonesia.
When viewed together, the two series of Bird Songs form an inseparable ensemble that maps the deteriorating ecological status of birdlife, tracing a thematic journey:
Artificial Imitation (Cloned birds)
Forceful Imprisonment (Competition of singing birds in cages)
Semi Freedom (Dawn chorus in an urban environment)
Survival (Species threatened with extinction – addressed in Op. 66 No. 1)
Extinction (Species that have effectively disappeared in Singapore – addressed in Op. 66 No. 2)
The premiere of Bird Songs opus 66 No. 2 took place on 31-X-2015, during the SG50 concert entitled Celebrating Nature in Singapore, held in the frame of the 6th Asian Bird Fair.
Completion of the composition
6-IX-2015
Recording
see link#1 for audio and blue cover logbook #5
Score follower
link #2
Map and skyline of Singapore with dead bird, original creation by designer Neol Leung Yick Chuen [2016] (reproduced with the permission of the designer)
Duration:
8' 30"
Composed In:
2015
Dedicated to:
Birds, the true masters
Parts:
For score and parts, please email <rc@robertcasteels.com>
First performance:
31.10.15 Function Hall, Botanic Centre, Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
First performed by:
Ensemble conducted by R Casteels
Commissioned by:
SG50 Secretariat
979-0-9016525-5-2 (full score) and 979-0-9016525-6-9 (parts)
Download Link: