Symphony No. 2 "Hummingbird"
Robert Bradshaw
About this work:
NOTES:
I. from the hands of the craftsman
Throughout the workshop lay countless wisps of feathers - remains of the great creations. Exquisite birds of beauty and color, nobility and gracefulness, had flown from the hands the craftsman. All that remained were the drab remnants of leftover feathers, not fit for such glorious masters of the sky.
II. of grey and twilight
And yet, there was something special in those feathers of grey and twilight. Could there be one more bird to create? From the unwanted plumage that was strewn about the shop, two glorious little birds arose. They seemed to hang in the air - suspended by the puppet master’s unseen strings. Suddenly, they darted about the workshop with supreme agility. All the while, the faintest sound filled the room. A humming. No. A song. A song of the most transcendent passion and love. A love for each other and for the beautiful world around them that exceeded all that had come before. What great joy they gave the craftsman! “They shall have the most beautiful wedding! For any two things on this earth that share such great love are destined to be together.”
III. not far from the little workshop
Not far from the little workshop, it began. Bright and beautiful, the sky shimmered with the fluttering of the butterflies – called to mark a ceremonial space in the wood. The gentle flowers were asked to lay their pedals on the ground, making a wondrous carpet of shadow and light. The forest floor seemed to undulate with an array of colors as the wind brushed the edges of the pedals. Graceful and proud, spiders weaved an elaborate lace bridal pathway. It was a long and glittering course sparkling with an effervescence that drew all of the creature’s eyes to the altar. Then the sun’s rays, old and wise, parted the forest canopy and caressed the earth below. All of the creatures let the warm beams of light join the celebration. One of the sun’s great fingers touched the birds! All gasped in awe as those drab grey feathers from the workshop floor suddenly filled the clearing with the colors of the rainbow. An elusive series of iridescent colors swept the bird’s body when the rays of the sun passed over his feathers.
IV. colorful as the rainbow
As colorful as the rainbow that shown throughout the little bird’s coat, they came. The air filled with the hovering creatures. As for the animals of the forest and all who have ever been blessed to watch these beautiful little birds, time ceased to pass as they danced in the breeze. For on that day, at the hands of the craftsman, hummingbirds were born - brought forth to fill the gardens of our life with joy, peace and love.
Version: for orchestra
Year composed: 2005
Duration: 00:40:00
Ensemble type: Orchestra:Standard Orchestra
Instrumentation: 1 Piccolo, 2 Flute, 2 Oboe, 2 Clarinet, 2 Bassoon, 4 Horn in F, 2 Trumpet, 2 Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, 1 Tuba, 1 Timpani, 6 Percussion (General), 1 Strings (General)
Instrumentation notes: strings div.