Dance Movements In Four Parts

Commissioned by the Presteigne Festival of Music and the Arts Limited with funds provided by the Arts Council of Wales for premiere in August 2012 by the Carducci String Quartet in St. Andrew?s Church Presteigne.Composer's Note.'Some years ago I noted down the opening theme of what I anticipated would be a relatively Classical string quartet ?Classical? in the sense of the forms adopted plus perhaps a predominantly lyrical tone of voice. The commission for this work from the Presteigne Festival for their 30th anniversary in 2012 gave me the opportunity of putting into practice this long-held idea. It isdedicated to the Festival and to the Carducci Quartet whose career as much-admired friends and colleagues I have greatly enjoyed.The only break with ?classical? tradition is that there are five movements instead of four with two Scherzi as the second and third though both these are very short and contrasting. I found myself listening to Haydn?s string quartets a lot before and during the composition of this work and I hope the spirit of his delight in writing for this medium is echoed in my own music. The opening movement is in sonata form unusually for me and lyricism is I hope the basis of it though there is a good deal of activity at times. The Scherzo light and marked by frequently-changing rhythms is followed by an equally short but ferocious Perpetuum mobile marked Wild und rasch (one of my favourite German tempo markings). The fourth movement is an intense Adagio in which a single phrase uttered strongly in unison is gradually transformed into gentle diatonic chords before the close intermingled with cadenzas for cello for viola and for the two violins together. The finale (a Rondo) resumes the classical tone of the first movement but apart from one dance-like episode it builds up a fair head of steam towards a final Presto which however ascends slows and quietens towards a gentle summer sky at dusk.'

A concert 'centerpiece' this major work from James Curnow explores the spiritual perspectives of the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest in North America. The five movements investigate the 'Cosmos' and its four 'Worlds'. With such complete contrasts as 'The Undersea World' and the ceremonial dance in 'The Mortal World' an authentic First Nations melody in 'The Spirit World' and the ethos of 'The Sky World' the wonders are many. Your performance of 'Down From The Shimmering Sky' will be meaningful and memorable for musicians and audience alike. This is a landmark piece for concert band.

This composition is based on a passacaglia theme in which artistic perfection symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the 'Symphonic Variations' are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan himself originally an organist took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J.S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme.

In this composition the composer gives an impression of the village square where all the young people gather. In four movements he takes us along to his home town: 1. Folkdance - Moments of happiness freedom from worries and optimism 2. Sunday Afternoon - a musical picture of a quiet day 3. Hide 'n Seek - time for sports and games 4. Saturday Night Fever - the sounds of a Saturday can also be heard on the square

Composer's note:''Quartet' when mentioned in the context of concert music is generally assumed to mean 'string quartet'. In my case the quartet hat has played a central role in many of my pieces (besides the string quartet) is that of two pianos and two percussion. It appears like that or in expanded form with more pianos or more percussion in The Desert Music Sextet Three Movements The Four Sections The Cave Dance Patterns Three Tales You Are (Variations) Variations for Vibes Pianos and Strings Daniel Variations Double Sextet and Radio Rewrite . In Quartet there is just this group alone: two vibes and two pianos. The piece is one of the morecomplex I have composed. It frequently changes key and often breaks off continuity to pause or take up new material. Though the parts are not unduly difficult it calls for a high level of ensemble virtuosity. The form is one familiar throughout history: fast slow fast played without pause. The slow movement introduces harmonies not usually found in my music.'

String Quartet E Flat Major Op. 51. When Dvo?ák suddenly became internationally famous in 1878 with his Slavonic Dances, he received, among other things, a request for a new string quartet from Jean Becker, the first violinist of the renowned Florentine Quartet. The composer promptly began working in December 1878 and was able to complete the new piece three months later. Dvo?ák complied in a special way with the wish for a composition in ?Slavonic style?: each of the four movements is informed by melodies and rhythms in the style of Czech folk dances and songs. Since then, opus 51 has not only ranked among the most important works in Dvo?ák?s ?Slavonic period?, but also among the most popular in his chamber music oeuvre in general. Besides the first editions of the score and parts, all surviving autograph sources were consulted for this Henle Urtext edition.