Lauren Nelson performed Wood Song by Jenni Brandon at The University of North Texas on March 6, 2022 at 7:30 pm in Voertman Hall, University of North Texas. Wood Song is required repertoire for the preliminary round at the International Double Reed Society, 2022 Norma Hooks Young Artist International Competition for Oboe.

Lauren Nelson’s recital featured the following works:

Wood Song (Jenni Brandon)

Four Personalities (Alyssa Morris)

Lua Branca (Chiquinha Gonzaga);

Drei Romanzen für Violine und Klavier, I (Clara Schumann);

Poem (Marina Dranishnikova);

Adoration (Florence Price).

These compositions were performed on oboe and violin. This was an online performance. It was presented via livestream at the following link: https://recording.music.unt.edu/live/event/14114.

Wood Song for solo oboe (2019) – (Jenni Brandon Music – JB 160) was inspired by the Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) poem of the same name. I was particularly drawn to this poem for both the reference to the wood thrush bird as well as the poet’s honesty of kissing life “scars and all”. The colors of the oboe lend themselves to creating this bird’s ethereal and mysterious sounds, and of telling the journey of a soul through poem and music.

Wood Song

by Sara Teasdale (1884-1933)

I heard a wood-thrush in the dusk
Twirl three notes and make a star –
My heart that walked with bitterness
Came back from very far.

Three shining notes were all he had,
And yet they made a starry call –
I caught life back against my breast
And kissed it, scars and all.

From the poetry book “Love Songs”, Interlude: Songs out of Sorrow (VI. Wood Song). The Macmillan Company, 1917. Poem is in the public domain. This collection of poems won the 1918 Pulitzer Prize.

Among the many unique sounds made by this bird includes the “pit volley”. This sound is represented in the work by five quick repeated notes in a row punctuating the moment as the wood-thrush does in the forest. Variations on other unique sounds from the wood thrush’s repertoire are represented by both timbral and regular trills, fast rhythmic leaping lines, and, at times, the lyrical singing of a lone bird in the woods. In remaining true to both the bird’s call as well as the poet’s description of it, the very opening of the work begins with a transcription of one of these birds’ songs “twirling three notes”. Throughout the work there is much freedom given to the oboist to explore creating the song of the wood thrush.  Listen for variations and interpretations on their unique song.

It was a joy to work on this piece with Dr. Lindabeth Binkley, who commissioned the work, and whose beautiful, lyrical playing allowed me to explore writing for the many colors of the oboe. Her precision in rhythm and ability to play quickly and precisely also allowed me to explore faster rhythmic aspects of the bird’s song. The result is a work that will hopefully remind us all to take time to walk outside and listen to the birds sing.

This work was commissioned by Dr. Lindabeth Binkley with a Faculty Research and Creative Endeavors Grant from Central Michigan University. It appears on her CD From Earth And Sky: Music Of Jenni Brandon on the Blue Griffin Recording label.

Wood Song is available for purchase on Jenni’s website at Wood Song for Solo Oboe – Jenni Brandon