Composed in 1981, In Praise of Zephyrus was written for oboist Philip West. Richard Wernick later provided this brief program note: Zephyrus was the god of the west wind. Philip West, of blessed memory, for whom I wrote the piece, was a wind player, an oboist and English horn player of distinction, and a very dear friend. The three movements are in no way programmatic, but reflect to me at least the mercurial and colorful aspects of Phil’s vivid persona.

"I. ""... the West wynde arysyth..."" - II. Vent galerne - III. ""... the Lord turneth a marvelous strong West Wynde"""