Composers have been inspired by birdsong throughout the centuries; some have even literally used it in their music. We hear an example from Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara in his concerto for birds and orchestra, "Cantus Arcticus."
Songs of the Arctic
Rautavaara's concerto is entitled "Cantus Arcticus," which means "Songs of the Arctic." The composer traveled into the far northern part of Scandinavia to record the natural sounds of the area, including the sounds of birds — which he later incorporated (to chilling effect) into his work, using the orchestra to ...
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