Century Dances
(2005)
trio
oboe, clarinet and bassoon
duration: 9'
Hunt Edition
Commissioned by The Thorne Trio
First performance 1 December
The Thorne Trio
St George's, Brandon Hill, Bristol
See also: wind and brass
| Five dances stretch a time-line from the 18th Century to the present day, each very different in character. The Allemande, which was often an introductory movement to the Baroque dance suite, ushers in Century Dances with flourishes and trills, using the conventional form of the period. This is followed by Menuet, subtitled 'ghost dance', distant and fragmented. Mazurka, a Polish dance form much favoured by Chopin, expansive and stately, is succeeded by the dark intensity of the Tango. The Last Dance rocks the suite to an exuberant conclusion.
I Allemande
II Menuet - ghost dance
III Mazurka
IV Tango
V Last Dance
Century Dances received its first performance on 1 December, 2005, at St George's, Brandon Hill, Bristol, and was commissioned by The Thorne Trio with funds generously provided by the Gilbert and Eileen Edgar Junior Fellowship, the Lord and Lady Lurgan Fellowship and the Philharmonia Orchestra/Martin Music Trust Scholarship Fund Education and Outreach Award.
© 2006, Cecilia McDowall |