Bird

For large ensemble

2019

Duration

16 min

Instrumentation

pic, ob, cl+bcl, cbsn, hn, trp, trb, perc, pno, 2 vl, va, vc, cb

Commissioned by

Gaudeamus Muziekweek

Premiered by

Asko|Schönberg
Conducted by Bas Wiegers
8.9.2019
Gaudeamus Muziekweek
Hertz – TivoliVredenburg

Utrecht, Netherlands

Notes

Roaming the earth and soaring high in the sky, birds have long symbolized freedom. Drawing on the bird as a metaphor for a range of moods and emotions, I focused on capturing its essence. I was especially intrigued by the strangeness - or even roughness - some birds display in their appearance, sounds, movements, and behavior, and sought to translate these qualities into musical characters.

I imagined a kind of “super-bird,” unbound, vigorous and self-assured, yet capable of shifting into different forms, from bold and arrogant to delicate and graceful, from whimsical and flamboyant to rough and grotesque.

Furthermore, I was fascinated by the absurd imagery of lek mating rituals of rare birds in Papua New Guinea. Certain passages of the music are inspired on the dance-like movements, twists, and turns of this practice.

Listen

Premiere of Bird (2019), performed by Asko|Schönberg Conducted by Bas Wiegers

27.9.2023 TivoliVredenburg, Utrecht, Netherlands

Reviews

"Hilli creates a lively question-and-answer game that bounces from jazzy percussion and big-band brass to cheery marching band sounds and exhilarating poppy dance music."

THEA DERKS, 10.9.2019

“A wonderful piece that sends you home with a cheerful feeling."

THEA DERKS, 10.9.2019

"Gaudeamus could not have wished for a better finale to its 69th edition."

THEA DERKS, 10.9.2019

"The percussionist plays a brilliant solo on bass drum and hi-hat, the pianist pounds out roaring chords on her grand piano. A star role is reserved for the solo trumpeter"

THEA DERKS, 10.9.2019