Why the Platypus? for baritone ukulele скачать в хорошем качестве

Why the Platypus? for baritone ukulele

Why the Platypus? is a piece for solo baritone ukulele written for and dedicated to my friend Esther. When nearing the end of her struggle with cancer Esther told me in typical upbeat tone, ‘Don’t worry! Now I get to ask, why the platypus?’ I had to think about that for a while but then I realised this question was not only a reflection of Esther’s faith, but her curiosity about life. Why the platypus? soon emerged as the perfect title for a piece. I wanted to compose a work which celebrated the characteristics I had come to associate with Esther ~ curiosity, determination, thoughtfulness and her unwavering positivity. In 1799 the first samples of an Australian platypus were sent back to Britain. Finding the unlikely features of a duck’s bill and a beaver’s tail in one animal, scientists initially thought this “stuck together” creature was a hoax. Today the platypus is celebrated, not only for its uniqueness, but for its ability to have evolved and, thus, endured. Composing for an instrument frequently regarded as a toy or a novelty is both challenging and invigorating. Taking elements from the oeuvre of Western Classical music in order to “make” a piece in a “classical ukulele” style leaves me wondering whether I have created a monster or a platypus. I suppose the answer is both: some will be horrified, others will be amused and entertained. Score available as a digital download (PDF) in notation and tab from PayHip: https://payhip.com/b/42tu6