The Cat was originally written as part of a longer work for wind dectet and piano, Why Cats Sit on Doorsteps in the Sun, commissioned by New Harmonie with funds provided by South East Arts and first performed at the Capitol Theatre, Horsham on 9th November 2003; Why Cats Sit on Doorstep in the Sun has since received several further performances, including Chinook Winds, Seattle, USA, July 2005.
Why Cats Sit on Doorsteps in the Sun is a Rumanian folktale based around the traditional story of Noah. Cats have a way of taking over people’s lives in the nicest possible way and the cat in this story uses up at least two of its nine lives - Mrs Noah ensures that it comes on board the ark safe and sound from the rain and then it is almost drowned by Mr Noah…. At this point in the story, Movement 7, the cat simply does its own thing and retreats to the hold where it is quiet and peaceful!