It's not often that you find early 17th century music arranged for a flute and clarinet choir so this piece is good news on two fronts. Firstly, the style will not be particularly familiar and so it opens up a new avenue for most students. The second reason is based on the fact that there is not much music open to three flutes and three clarinets and so teachers will find this endlessly useful. And it's good. Of course it is! - it's one of Mels'!
This piece is a setting of two traditional songs, both of which tell the story of scavenger birds planning to feed on the body of a dead knight. The first tune, The Three Ravens, was first printed in 1611 in a book compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft. The second tune, Twa Corbies, is an ancient Scottish ballad. The eerie opening features a Clarinet solo set against hanging chords, before the second tune appears as a refrain coloured by swooping phrases in the accompaniment. Plenty of atmosphere in this dark and mysterious piece.
Performance duration (approx): 3'30
