Pooh’s Serenade (2002) for bassoon, cello, and piano was commissioned by hrCME for Arts First 2002. The work is dedicated to Lembit Beecher, in appreciation for what he has done for the ensemble. The “Pooh” of the title is, of course, Winnie-the-Pooh, the lovable bear from A. A. Milne’s books of stories, Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928).

The work is cast in two short movements. The basic musical material is shared between the movements. Each is inspired by a different one of Pooh’s “songs.” The first movement, Cloud Song, was inspired by Pooh’s song as he pretends to be a cloud, floating through the air tied to a balloon—attempting to fool some bees as he steals their honey. The second movement, Bear Song, is inspired by one of Pooh’s happiness songs: “Sing Ho! for the life of a Bear!“

This work may be performed in one of two ways: (1) The movements may be played together as a chamber piece. The notes above should be printed in the program—and possibly the texts as well. (2) A narrator could be used to read the poems before the playing of each movement—and perhaps read also some extracts (to provide context for the poems) from the Milne stories.