Birds of Paradise

chamber orchestra

Premiered by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, on May 24, 2022, at Perth Concert Hall, WA

Instrumentation: fl. ob. cl. bsn. | hn. tpt. tbn. tba. | perc. | 2 vln. 1 vla. 1 vc. 1 db

Sample Score 1

Sample Score 2

Birds of Paradise draws inspiration from a series of pointillist paintings by Japanese illustrator Hiroo Isono (1945–2013). Isono’s work is marked by a deeply personal artistic language, shifting in mood from haunting stillness to grand, expansive gestures. Beyond their vivid intricacy, these paintings maintain a finely calibrated balance between chaos and order—allowing for organic, intuitive detail at the micro level while preserving a clear sense of structure and flow on the macro level. This interplay informs the compositional approach of Birds of Paradise, shaping both its musical material and formal design.

The work translates the imagery of Isono’s birds into sound, exploring their movement and color through shifting textures and gestures. A central focus is the contrast between flocking behavior and individual calls—collective turbulence against solitary, expressive lines. This is reflected in the score through varying degrees of notational specificity, balancing free indeterminacy with structured, process-driven passages. The transitions between focused and extemporized soundworlds are integral to the piece, mirroring the dynamic interplay of structure and spontaneity present in Isono’s visual landscapes.

Birds of Paradise was written as part of the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra: Young & Emerging Artists Composition Project.