Four short songs all based on Cuckoo themes, skillfully arranged by John Gibson. Quite an ingenious collection that can be performed seperately or as a suite. I. The Cuckoo in the Forest (1886) - from Carnival of the Animals - Camille Saint-SaensII. The Cuckoo's Courtship Waltz (1874) - H. D. SofgeIII. On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring (1912) - Frederick DeliusIV. In Praise of Higher Understanding (a singing contest between a cuckoo and a nightingale judged by a donkey) (1896) - Gustav Mahler Instrumentation: E-Flat Clarinet, 3 B-Flat Clarinets, Alto Clarinet/Basset Horn, Bass Clarinet, Contrabass Clarinet (or Contralto Clarinet /String Bass)