LEPRECHAUNS (score & parts)

Leprechauns were thought to have been the mythological faeries of ancient Ireland. They were naturally somewhat mischievous creatures, although not thought to be menacingly evil unless upset by inconsiderate humans. This suite for two oboes and cor anglais imaginatively sets out to recapture the kind of sound they might have made on their faery pipes, should any human ever have been fortunate enough to hear them. Perhaps Arnold Bax, that arch Celtic romantic, had heard them before he composed “The Garden of Fand” and “In the Faery Hills”.

In a strictly musical sense, the suite explores aspects of the virtuoso oboe and cor anglais technique and is related in style to an earlier work, the Duo Concertante for oboe, harpsichord and strings, written in 1967, which had also been inspired by a contemplation of the ancient superstitions of Irish folk-lore. Leprechauns (op. 67) was composed in the 1970s at the request of an oboe trio who in the end never played the music. The suite lasts approximately 9 minutes and was initially set from the revised manuscript (dated 1981) for Phylloscopus Publications by C.M.M. Nex and F.H. Nex. Leprechauns was given its first performance by the “Three Reeds” at the Century Hall, Port Regis, Shaftesbury, on March 10th 2002 in the presence of the composer.

Delivery Details

We endeavour to dispatch all orders which are in stock on the day the order has been placed. If you need delivery by a certain time please state this clearly on your order and we will do our best to oblige.

For Royal Mail Special Delivery, Airmail (Signed For) and Courier shipments, a signature may be required upon delivery to your address. You are responsible for your order once the package arrives at the supplied delivery address. We cannot be held responsible if the package(s) goes missing once delivered. If any goods are received faulty or damaged on receipt, you must notify us within 7 days of receiving them (via email or telephone) quoting your order reference. We cannot be held responsible for goods that do not arrive with the customer due to errors made by the customer when entering their address details. Please ensure that you check all your details before confirming your order. For more information on deliveries, please click here.