A short, evocative piece based on Tui calls, composed for Bridget Douglas.


Opus No : 109

Category : Solo Works

Year : 2004

Duration : 4 minutes

Commissioned by : Bridget Douglas


Instrumentation: solo flute

Level : 4 - challenging for professional musicians

Available from the composer


Recording information

Bridget Douglas, on Trust Records MMT2063-64


Programme Note

Tui is based on calls from birds, recorded in Dunedin in 2003 by University student Vicki Payne. The composer helped to transcribe some calls, and was inspired to draw on these when Bridget Douglas commissioned him to write a short piece. The work uses a variety of special effects, influenced to some degree by the Tui. It has a quirky character with rapid ideas juxtaposed with moments of silence. Douglas premiered the work during a New Zealand tour in 2004, and recorded it for Trust Records late in that year.