Macaws Cawling Artist Edition

This special Artist Edition of Macaws Cawling is printed on premium paper and contains notes by the commissioning performer, Dr. Razvan Bezna. The cover design features original artwork by Dr. Razvan Bezna.

Macaws Cawling is a captivating programmatic work which portrays an underlying story of a flock of Macaw parrots throughout their travels. The opening harmonics symbolize an approaching flock of parrots. A repetitive septuplet figure with a bass melody, also in harmonics, mimics a conflict between the birds to be at the front of the flock. Near the middle of the piece, there is a crashing section in which the parrots plunge into a body of water. Following their descent, the flock squabbles, and caws for each other before encountering a thunderstorm. After the thunderstorm passes, a slow largo section ensues as the flock prepares to take off and fade into the distance.

Sylvia Rickard, born in 1937 in Toronto, Canada, began piano studies at age seven and reached the ARCT level by 1959, the same year she earned a BA in French, Russian, and German from UBC, Vancouver. After living in various countries and taking an 11-year break from music, she resumed her musical journey with private composition lessons under Jean Coulthard. This mentorship led to prize-winning compositions, CBC radio broadcasts, and performances by renowned musicians. Rickard has adjudicated compositions across Canada and composed a diverse range of music, including piano, songs, chamber music, and orchestral pieces.

In 1999, she was invited as the first resident composer at the Casalmaggiore International Chamber Music Festival in Italy. Rickard is also passionate about animal welfare and environmental conservation. Her compositions often feature lyricism, drama, and humor, with notable works such as "Rum Ba-Ba," "Birth, Death and Regeneration," and "Macaws Cawling." Rickard is an associate composer of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of various musical organizations. Her recent works include pieces for Classical Guitarist Dr. Razvan Bezna, such as "The Leprechaun Suite" and "Equilibrium for Guitar and Cello."