Canyon Wren
Jay Vosk
About this work:
A Desert Aviary, for SATB a cappella choir
by Jay Vosk
I needn’t to go any further than my back yard to find the inspiration for my composition A Desert Aviary. The piece is a collection of five settings of my own texts for SATB a cappella choir. It was my intention to offer my personal impressions of five of my favorite bird species native to Southern Arizona
The work begins with White Wing Doves which I would describe as a plaintive song with the call of the dove as its refrain The Curved Bill Thrasher is a lively character that has its own unique personality. It’s call of ‘wee-peep’ is pervasive throughout the entire piece. Canyon Wren is a nostalgic recollection of a visit to the Catalina Mountains. As I sat to rest for a few minutes I was taken by the quiet, delicate sounds punctuated by the spiraling call of the Canyon Wren’ .
I am deeply in awe of The Cooper’s Hawk’. The fourth piece in the collection is in homage to one of the most adroit flyers of the animal world.
The work closes with a playful portrait of Arizona’s state bird, The Cactus Wren. This quirky character just so happens to be my favorite of all the feathered desert creatures.
Year composed: 2010
Duration: 03:00:20
Ensemble type: Chorus, with or without Solo Voices:Chorus, Unaccompanied
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: SATB Chorus