Marilyn Bliss
Flocks
Year: 1988
Duration (in minutes): 9'30"
Difficulty: Medium (college/community)
Category: flute quartet, small chamber ensembles - 2 to 4 players, woodwind ensemble, woodwind quartet
Instruments: alto flute, flute, piccolo
Publisher: American Composers Alliance
Publisher website: https://www.composers.com
Video Links: https://youtu.be/5MERrwL5Vh4
Purchase score URL: https://composers.com/composers/marilyn-bliss/flocks
Description: Flocks, for flute quartet, was inspired by the annual migration of flocks of birds from their summer home in the North to their winter home in the South. The piece is loosely programmatic, beginning with the first restless urges of some, then even the most reluctant birds, to leave their northern home, through their joyful flight south -- often flying in parallel or similar motion --, to the sighting of their southern home, and finally the quiet of sleep after the long journey. This work was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the Powell Quartet.