Dancing Fish
(2004)
soprano saxophone, string quartet
duration: 8'
Gemini Publications
Commissioned by Commissioned by Sarah Field with funds from David Bowerman
First performance 29 May 2004
Sarah Field (sax), Bronte Quartet
Purcell Room, South Bank, London
| This work for soprano saxophone and string quartet was inspired by Dancing Fish, a Russian fable written by Ivan Krylov. Krylov worked in government before abandoning the post in 1807 to devote himself exclusively to a literary career. His famous Fables, published in 1809, were immediately successful. His tales expose human weaknesses, particularly those which are typically Russian, and are directed against injustice and corruption, rife in the government and professions of the time.
Dancing Fish tells of the piscine race, contentedly getting on with their fishy business in the stream. The fox is elected by the Lion, ruler of all beasts, to oversee the finny tribe as governor. However, the waters grow murky as the fox helps himself to a fishy meal or two. The Lion, passing by one day, sees the fox is growing fat and asks why the fish 'wag their tails and heads that way?' The fox replies that the Lion's presence has brought the fish joy and set them all a-dancing. The Lion, suspecting foul play, makes the fox pay, but too late for the fish who are now having their last dance - in the frying pan.
A fragment of a Russian folk song is first heard on the saxophone in the opening section and makes further melancholic appearances as the piece progresses, moving from aquatic tranquility to somewhat frantic dancing.
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