MUSIC FOR WOODWIND - see elsewhere for Clarinet, Saxophone and Wind Band
Wind Quintet - A Journey
Woodwind quintets (Fl, Ob, Cl, Hn, Bn) have some of the best repertoire around, from Danzi to Hindemith and Milhaud to Malcom Arnold. They are such exciting ensembles in which to play and I consider them the most demanding and satisfying of ensembles. My contribution aims, as with all my music, to be fun to play but makes demands of the musicians. Each movement has it's own character (see below). Clicking the link below will take you to the complete work on the SibeliusMusic website. Further down the page are links to the individual movements. You must decided on any msuical program for yourselves. My notes just give a short description of the character of each movement.
Woodwind quintets (Fl, Ob, Cl, Hn, Bn) have some of the best repertoire around, from Danzi to Hindemith and Milhaud to Malcom Arnold. They are such exciting ensembles in which to play and I consider them the most demanding and satisfying of ensembles. My contribution aims, as with all my music, to be fun to play but makes demands of the musicians. Each movement has it's own character (see below). Clicking the link below will take you to the complete work on the SibeliusMusic website. Further down the page are links to the individual movements. You must decided on any msuical program for yourselves. My notes just give a short description of the character of each movement.
| Wind Quintet (complete) - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
Individual movements
1. With a Swagger
Somehow I think of all wind quintets as having a "French" flavour and that is the character of this short opening movement.
| Mov.1. with a Swagger - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
2. Of a Flutter
Slow and very expressive, building to complex climax.
| Mov.2. of a Flutter - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
3. Molly and the Shepherds
If you know your Percy Grainger you will already have guessed what theis movement is about.
A little pastiche on his style with a litle mystery hidden inside. This movement works well as a stand-alone piece.
| Mov.3. Molly and the Shepherds - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
4. Don't Cry
A touch of Argentinian fervour! Another movement which can be performed as a stand-alone piece.
| Mov.4. Don't Cry - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
5. The Road to Recovery
Thoughtful, with short cadenzas for all players and a gradual build-up and return to the original material from the
first movement. This is the hardest movement to get to grips with because of the changing pulse and the understanding
required by all players, but it brings the work full circle a gives balance.
| Mov.5. The Road to Recovery - Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
Kiddy Litter
is an arrangement of nursery rhymes and children's songs, originally written for performance
at primary schools as a "how many tunes can you recognise" piece. Although not written with the intention of the audience
joining with the songs, they do!
| Kiddy Litter - Trad. arr. Alun Cook |
Moderate/Hard
|
Charliey, Five 0!
A bit of fun for the fluting cognoscenti! Short and sweet (and FREE), spot the quotes (7 to find).
Written for a fluting friend's 50th birthday, hence the style and title.
| Charliey, Five 0! - Various! |
listen to mp3
|
Moderate/Hard
|
Wieldy Waltz
Found elsewhere on the website as an Alto Saxophone solo, it fits so well on the flute that I could not resist
this adaptation. The piano part is quite different in this version, as is the key. Wieldy Waltz has "educational"
mileage as it explores a good range and addresses swing rhythms, and although generally technically undemanding
there are a couple of bars that are quite challenging. I would have thought it ideal as a GCSE performance piece.
| Wieldy Waltz - Alun Cook |
listen to mp3
|
Moderate
|
Santa Express
In the depths of Kent at Christmas time, the Steam Railways run "Santa Specials" as a Christmas treat for the young
and old alike. I hope this composition gives a hint of both Christmas and the locomotives which will certainly be my
young sons' favourite treat of the season. This version has been requested for Flute and Piano - the original being
for 6 saxophones and it is also available for 2 Altos and piano, and for orchestra.
| Santa Express - Alun Cook |
listen to mp3
|
Moderate
|
A Winter's Tale
(3 Bb Cls, 2 Alto Sax and Bs Cl)
Soothing music to lull your children to sleep, but like all good stories there are moments of intrigue and suspense.
This is the original scoring for 3 Bb Clarinets, 2 Alto Saxophones and Bass Clarinet although I have it in mind to
add words as a Christmas carol. The individual parts are not hard but they are quite independent at times. Listen to the
MP3 to hear a performance.