Program Notes

William Perry’s Summer Nocturne is a piece of descriptive music that he has subtitled The Nightingale in the Park.

The flute portrays a nightingale coming into a city park at twilight, and from a tree branch he observes an old couple on a bench, a poet passing by, children playing, lovers walking hand in hand, a fountain and a carousel. As the twilight fades, he flies to the top of the highest tree.

On the title page Perry has quoted a poem from the poet, Lord Byron, that inspired the writing of the piece:

It is the hour when from the boughs
The nightingale’s high note is heard;
It is the hour – when lover’s vows
Seem sweet in every whisper’d word.

The music features sustained lyricism and a colorful degree of virtuosity.

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Information on rental of orchestra parts can also be found at MUSIC RENTAL