Bird Tunes

This newly composed instrumental suite from fiddle player and composer Rutter is a work of melodic charm, entirely inspired by fragments of birdsong recorded during woodland walks near her home. Joined by Rob Harbron on concertina and Sam Sweeney on fiddle, the collection opens with the beautifully light, dancing counterpoint of ‘Blackbird Schottische’. ‘Skylark Bourrée/Lark Ascending Waltz’ features sparkling interplay between the trio in the bourrée, followed by a delightful waltz based on motifs from Vaughan Williams’ introspective, single-movement work. After, the affecting F-sharp minor lament ending ‘Our Fading Icons of Spring, the Cuckoo and the Nightingale’ gives way to the joyous E major celebration of ‘Warblers’ Rant’. Rutter explores new ground with her first tune written in 3/2 time, the stately sarabande ‘Three Barn Owls’. The uplifting ‘Golden Blackbird Jig’ brings us full circle and provides a fitting farewell to this wonderfully immersive, avian-inspired journey.