Gottlieb, Jack - Twilight Crane (Fantasy) (Woodwind Quintet Score & Parts)

An old Japanese folk-tale, Yuzuru, expresses a universal theme; conflict between materialism and spiritual values. A crane, in gratitude for having her life saved by a woodcutter, turns mortal and becomes his wife. For a while they lead a simple, child-like existence. When it is discovered that the bird-woman has the power of weaving extraordinary cloth, the idyll is over. Driven on by two avaricious villagers, the husband is vanquished by vanity and greed. He demands more and more cloth from his wife until she is forced to resume her form as a crane. She flies away from the human world, leaving behind the woodcutter - now confused and remorseful.