The Owl Sings at Noon (2004)
for bassoon and piano
Duration: 6'
Program Notes:
The Owl Sings at Noon was inspired by a clock. On this clock there were different species of birds where the numbers would have normally been. An image of the owl occupied the important top space at 12:00. At noon (and midnight) everyday the owl would sing a jazzy, asymmetrical set of hoots. The silliness that every mid-day brought in the presence of the clock has stuck with me in a surprising way for years. Eventually it persisted enough that I used it as the basis for this fun work for bassoon and piano. It was premiered in Montréal on May 1, 2005 by bassoonist Alexandra Eastley and pianist Louise Lessard.
• The Owl Sings at Noon is published by TrevCo-Varner Music. You can purchase the work from them here.