Boosey & Hawkes Jenkins - A Parliament Of Owls - Choeur Mixte Saxophone Percussion Et 2 Pianos

Summary of This Score

"A Parliament of Owls" is a choral score in three contrasting movements, conceived as an energetic fresco around the nocturnal world of owls. The writing highlights the richness of textures and atmospheres, playing on character oppositions from one movement to another: percussive effects, lyrical surges, sharper motifs, and rapid color changes.

To bring the different species to life, the work relies on a particularly evocative instrumental combination: the saxophone provides a line that is sometimes singing, sometimes biting; the percussion reinforces the rhythmic relief; and the piano four hands densifies the harmony while broadening the sonic spectrum. The deliberately descriptive English terms guide the interpretation and help the choir shape attacks, timbres, and articulations that suggest the vocal characteristics of the birds.

The text is based on three nonsense poems by Carol Barratt, whose humor and whimsy require precise diction and a true stage presence. The result is a captivating piece, designed to impress the audience and push the choristers to work on listening, coordination with the instruments, as well as variety in dynamics and characters.

Technical specifications

Musical Genre

Classical

Publication

Sheet music

Composer	Karl Jenkins	Pages	56
Instrumentation	choir, saxophone, percussion, piano four hands	Year of publication	2005
Language	English