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Flying Birds


Flying Birds
Film documentary
Date of composition December 1972
Opus number (No opus number)
Type of work Music for a film or documentary
Duration 8 mins
Musical forces Saxophone Quartet (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone)
Commissioner The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
Producer Anthony Clay
Director Anthony Clay
Recording session 15th January 1973
Session information Recorded at Olympic Recording Studio by the London Saxophone Quartet (Paul Harvey, soprano; Hale Hambleton, alto; Christopher Gradwell, tenor; David Lawrence, baritone), conducted by the composer
Publication status Manuscript
Archive location British Film Institute (BFI)
Archive contents
  • 16mm film stock
  • Original bound music manuscript
  • Notes A 12½-minute colour film for theatrical presentation; first shown at the Royal Festival Hall, 17th February 1973; the music, played by the London Saxophone Quartet, comprises a theme and nine variations depicting the many and varied aspects of bird flight; there is no spoken commentary; filmed by Dr David Urry and Kate Urry
    More info… See the dedicated section about Flying Birds


    Review

    A very beautiful film, with a haunting score by Blyton played by the London Saxophone Quartet (in which the music comprises a theme – ‘bird flight’ – and nine variations)…

    Hilton Gough, BFFS Film magazine, no 25, April 1975