Work
Song of Sea-Gull
for flute and string orchestra
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About
Song of the Seagull for solo flute and string orchestra was composed in 2007 as an entry in the Haifa International Competition for Composers.
Inspiration was stimulated from reading a poem by Mary Howitt (1799-1888) – The Seagull.
The orchestral parts describe the constant rocking motion of the waves with the seagull, at first rest "in calm repose on the breast of the heaving sea." This is followed by a melodic theme played by the flute which is heard later, twice in full and also abbreviated. A short recurring ritornello by the strings only is scattered through the work giving the flute a "breather" here and there. The long central portion of the piece depicts a stormy sea with the "bird" circling and screeching aloft above the turbulent strings. Finally, the music comes to a contrapuntal coda passage over which the flute and solo violin share a duet and then the whole piece subsides to a gentle ending with the flute "rocking on the gentle waves".
Hugh Dixon