Program Notes

​

Composed in 2007, On The Cackling of a Hen, was written at the request of Peter Alexander (Alexander Publishing) and is part of a larger project of Solo Compositions written for each major instrument of the Orchestra: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn in F, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass. The project consisted of composing music for specific poems chosen by Peter that he felt reflected the character of each instrument.  For the Solo Bassoon, the poem assigned was On The Cackling of a Hen by John Bunyan.

 

On The Cackling Of A Hen

by John Bunyan

 

The hen, so soon as she an egg doth lay,

(Spreads the fame of her doing what she may.)

About the yard she cackling now doth go,

To tell what ‘twas she at her nest did go.

Just thus it is with some professing men,

If they do ought that good is, like our hen

They can but cackle on’t where e’er they go,

What their right hand doth their left hand must follow.