Potchefstroom

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Potchefstroom

South African Suite

I. Potchefstroom

Many shorebirds, waders, and waterfowl make their homes in this vast area of grassland thorn and sandveldt, dotted liberally with wetland areas known as “vleis” or “dams”, outside Johannesburg. Hammerkops, bustards, and Secretary Birds inhabit the grasslands, while more challenging “little brown jobs,” such as Titbabblers, cisticolas, and Clapper Larks skulk in the bushes or on the ground. This long first movement provides a plethora of avian representatives of the area. The chattering of the Palm Swift begins the movement, lyrical Capped Wheatears contribute their triplet-like song, and Quail Finches provide a staccato rhythm. The movement ends with the plaintive chords of the Dabchick.

To hear a MIDI piano version of this movement, click here.

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*A Note About MIDI Files: Unfortunately, due to the fact that gradual tempo changes had to be entered manually in the original files, other playback effects (such as crescendos and sustain pedals) were not able to be reproduced in the MIDI version.