Birthday Garland

A Birthday Garland - Suite for Descant Recorder & Piano for Descant Recorder and Piano. 

1.The Pipe and Drum
2. Reverie
3. Cowboys with Lutes
4. Asleep in a Boat
5. A Tale
6. A Dance

Sasha Johnson Manning says:'The more I hear the recorder, the more I am struck by its versatility. It has a uniquely sonorous, woody sound which brings to mind a variety of characters and colours. This collection of pieces seek to display a number of those qualities, ranging from a joyous rhythmic agility in 'The Pipe and Drum' and 'A Dance' to the reflectiveness gentleness of 'Reverie' and 'Asleep on a Boat'. 'Cowboys with Lutes' should exhibit a dash of wit throughout and having a sad stry in mind when playing 'A Tale' helps to bring out the darker tones of the instrument. 

I find that playing the recorder is very close to singing. There seems to be a much shorter distance between the mental and physical mechanics of actually making the note and the sound that is produced than with some other instruments, which is an advantage. I would suggest to the recorder player to think of 'singing' the melody in your head as you play, the phrases will be shaped and the resulting performance expressive'. SJM 2009

Sasha Johnson Manning studied singing, cello and piano at the Royal Academy of Music. She has written many anthems, carols, songs and pieces for recorder. 

_Score 15 pp. Part 7 pp._