Sparrowhawk Tango (for strings)
Duration 3 minutes.
This short piece was inspired by my many sightings and observations of sparrowhawks in their behaviour, hunting techniques and how they fly and soar. They appear to “Tango” with their prey. For me the Tango is a passionately agressive dance with no negotiation. If you are a small creature caught by a sparrowhawk there is also no negotiation!
There are now 7 different arrangements of this piece available;
No.1 – School arrangement; for violins 1, 2 and 3, cello 1 and 2.
No.2 – Standard Arrangement; for violins 1 and 2, viola, cello and double bass
No.3 – Youth Orchestra
The instrumentation for the youth orchestra arrangement is as follows:
Flutes 1&2, 1 Oboe, Clarinets 1&2 in Bflat, 1 Bass Clarinet in Bflat (to low C), 1 Bassoon, 1 Eflat Alto Saxophone.
Trumpets 1&2 in Bflat
2 Pedal Timpani, Side Drum, Bongos – 1 set, 1 Conga, 1 Suspended Cymbal (played with soft stick throughout), Maracas, Tambourine, Triangle.
Violins 1,2 & 3, Cello 1 & 2
There is also an orchestral variant of the above with viola, double basses and an added Trombone.
No.4 – Flute, violin and piano
No.5 – Flute, cello and piano
No.6 – Flute, clarinet (Bflat), violin and piano
No.7 – Flute, clarinet (Bflat) and piano
No.8 – Piano Solo
Recording of the “School” Arrangement (No.1) by Banda Di Musica. Conducted by Gary Woolf.
And for Flute, Cello and Piano! Flute – Madeleine Eckervogt, Cello – Luise Bulte, Piano – Carla Bulte