Description
Instrumentation: Narrator and woodwind quintet
Commissioned by: Blythwood Winds
Composition date: 2015
Duration: 4:00 min
World Premiere: 25 Jan 2015, Canadian Music Centre, Toronto, Ontario by Blythwood Winds and Alex Eddington
Set a Russian fable to music for a child audience set for woodwind quintet (Blythwood Winds) and narrator (Alex Eddington). Hosted and co-presented by the Canadian Music Centre and Music Reflecta
The two dogs had both enjoyed a good meal. Now they were stretched at peace in the sunshine. Lying there in lazy contentment they chatted together in friendly fashion. They talked of the hard life a dog must lead. Of masters good and bad, of cooks mean and generous.
What is better than friendship for two dogs like you and me?” said one to the other. “We are members of the same household. We guard the same gate. Why should we ever quarrel? Let us swear always to be friends, to defend each other in time of need, to share good fortune, to live without greed and quarrelling.
I am ready to swear to such a friendship,” the other replied. “Here is my paw on it! No more quarrels. No more fighting. From now on we are brothers.
Cook chose that moment to throw a bone out of the window. Our two dogs sprang up, flung themselves at the bone, showed their teeth, snarled, attacked.
Friendship and brotherhood had vanished.
Pouya Hamidi 