Delivery from only £2.25

We're sorry, but your web browser is out of date and some features of this site might not work on it. Please update your browser for a better browsing experience.
  • The Bird Fancyer's Delight
    The Bird Fancyer's Delight ThumbnailThe Bird Fancyer's Delight Thumbnail

    Jeffery Wilson

    The Bird Fancyer's Delight

    • £22.95

    Quantity:  

    • Product Details
    • Composer Biog
    • Instrumentation
    • Listen

    Instrument: wind quintet score and parts
    Grade: slightly difficult
    Catalogue No: 3603
    ISMN No: 9790570275458

    "The Bird Fancyer's Delight" was first published in 1717 in America as an instruction manual for the teaching of singing to caged birds using the then popular flageolet. I have used some of the tunes in this beguiling collection as material for the dialogue between the players.

    The musical themes are taught and learnt quickly in this piece but in this fast moving age one can only marvel at the patience of the flageolet player of early eighteenth century America.

    With thanks to Michael Christie for his valuable editorial input,
    Jeffery Wilson

    ... For the Bullfinch • Skylark – Now the Linnet • See the Canary Bird • Woodlark and Starling to Finish

    "...On first appearances, The Bird Fancyer's Delight seems to be merely an obscure curio addition to the wind ensemble repertoire. It is based on an eighteenth century manual for teaching caged birds to sing by playing bird-song on the flageolet - my curiosity was piqued, but optimism sorely lagging. But what a treat this inventive work emerges to be! Where lesser composers would have fallen into the trap of attempting to imitate bird-song master Messiaen, Wilson stamps his own style through the five movements of the work. Jazz elements are seamlessly incorporated into the beautifully crafted lines passed throughout the ensemble. The parts are intelligently voiced and individually crafted for the instruments. This will make a very welcome and unique addition to any wind ensemble's repertoire. Well done Mr Wilson!" Reviewed ' Music Teacher'


    Jeffery Wilson
    Jeffery Wilson studied at the RCM with John Lambert and Herbert Howells and went on to study with Gordon Jacob, Aladar Majorossy and Olivier Messiaen. His output includes orchestral music, numerous chamber works and educational music, jazz composition and one Opera 'The Way to Glory'. Jeffery was for many years a visiting lecturer at Utrecht Conservatorium in Holland and principal examiner (Jazz) for Guildhall exams, he is now coordinator of Composition at Junior Guildhall, Saxophone and Clarinet tutor at Colchester Institute and a supervisor for the music faculty at Cambridge University. He also very much enjoys responding to commission and fulfilling musical needs like the 'Progressive Guide to Melodic Improvisation' published by Trinity Guildhall. Why not visit www.jefferywilson.co.uk for more on the composer.
    Instrumentation Sample

    You Also Viewed