Busy Bees and Birds
Blockflöte und Streichquartett (2 Violinen, Bratsche, Cello)
2005, rev. 2013
2006/ 2014
6 Min.
John Turner und Dartington Summer Festival/ Pernille Petersen mit Unterstützung von Statens Kunstfond
Busy Bees and Birds ist das 2. Blockflötenkonzert von Mogens Christensen. Genauso wie bei den zwei anderen Blockflötenkonzerten Fancyer’s Delight und Nordic Summer Scherzo herrscht auch hier die Scherzo-Stimmung vor. Auch wenn die Vögel gegenüber anderen Solostücken für Flöte hier eine weniger große Rolle spielen, erscheinen in Busy Bees and Birds andere Flügel-Wesen, die den musikalischen Raum übernommen haben. Statt eines Orchesters nämlich findet sich als Begleitapparat nur ein Streichquartett, dessen Spielweisen mit Tremolo, Glissando und andere Effekte dem wuseligen Summen von Bienen gleicht.
Download Noten:Anmeldelse i The Recorder Magazine, Winter 2005:
Christensen has written several other pieces for recorder including the recorder concerto A Bird Fancyer’s Delight. Taking birds as his inspiration once again, this work requires the soloist to perform on sopranino, descant and treble recorders with great technical virtuosity. The string parts were admirably played – a real ‘tour de force’ of many contemporary techniques, requiring an excellent sense of ensemble. The buy and rhythmically difficult opening section was played with flair and character. The second section on treble recorder came as a welcome contrast and John Turner performed this with fluidity, making effective use of the harmonics and the dynamic extremes required within a complex texture. The rhythmic intensity returned towards the end of the piece including a short cadenza for the soloist. This was a very vibrant performance which left us all wanting more! … an important addition to the contemporary recorder repertoire. If you weren’t there – you missed a treat!
Anmeldelse i The Gramophone, June 2015:
The final piece also gives this disc its title. Petersen joined here by the Messer Quartet in the compact but eventful “concerto” where the sound of bees mutates into that of birds thanks to a little electronic assistance. It ends an absorbing disc that takes the recorder to new limits.
