Five Irish Bird Tunes are arranged for Recorder Quartet by Marg Hall. This collection is comprised of:

1. The Lark in the Morning: this jig version of the traditional tune likely emerged from a tune called 'The Lark's March' played by Kerry fiddler Padraig O'Keefe in the 1950's.

2. The Yellow Bittern: The song 'The Yellow Bittern' was written in the 18th century by an Ulster poet, who is said to have found the bird lying frozen on an icy lake, and was inspired to write this sad slow air.

3. The Swallow's tail: This reel was collected in Kilkenny in the mid 19th century. The name likely comes from the long split-tail coat worn by dancing master in County Donegal, where the tune was particularly popular

4. The Blackbird: This tune derives its title from an 18th century song, and became known as a harp air of the period. I found this version in O'Neill's 'The Dance Music of Ireland'

5. The Woodcock: Another tune from O'Neill's book (published 1903). It was collected from fiddler Timothy Dillon, a Chicago policeman!

The composer Marg Hall discovered the recorder as an adult, having earlier learned piano and classical guitar. She has taught the recorder in the Edinburgh area for many years. Her compositions and arrangements have been published firstly by Hawthorns music, and latterly by Peacock Press. She has been a member of the recorder consort 'Solsequium' for many years, and am a member of the Scottish Recorder Orchestra. She is also a founder-member [in 1978] of the 'Hadley Court Singers'. 

Score: 12 pages. 4 parts @ 5 pages ea. 

NB: Cover colour may vary.