Bird of Time

for soprano solo, SSATB, and piano or small ensemble
In this poignant three-movement work, Cecilia McDowall sets texts by Indian political activist and poet Sarojini Naidu and frequent collaborator Sean Street. With the exquisite beauty of birdsong, often expressed by the obbligato oboe part, at its heart, Bird of Time explores themes of sorrow, loss, and hope for a better future. The opening movement is structured around questions posed to the 'Bird of Time' and features richly expressive instrumental interludes. A soprano soloist joins the choir for the second movement, which contrasts the optimism of a dawn chorus with a lament to the plight of the dwindling avian population. The energetic and playful closing movement explores the notion of a 'bird's-eye view' of how humans might appear to these airborne creatures.