Dances of Life and Death (2017)
(for wind orchestra)

I. Ecstatic Dance Ecstatic Dance began life as a miniature flute duet which I later expanded and arranged for many different combinations. Radiant and persistently rhythmic, I intended it simply as a joyful affirmation of life.

II. Chorale Remote and serene, the Chorale resembles a slow, stately dance whose pensive melodic line evolves gently over a ground bass. In versions for string quartet and orchestra it is paired with the Ecstatic Dance as Chorale and Ecstatic Dance.

III. The Dance of Life and Death This dance, which has been extracted from my Fifth Symphony, depicts a wild mythological female dancing naked on a corpse and wielding a short, curved sword to cut through all conceptual ideas. Unfettered instinct is at play here – the life force as represented by such universal images as the dancing Hindu goddess Kali and the frenzied Dionysian Maenads of Greek mythology – terrifying symbols of both the fecundity and destructive power of Mother Nature. A driving rhythm adapted from rock music invites us to break free and energize ourselves in the ecstatic world of the senses.

Ross Edwards.

[A recording on CD of multiple electronic alarm bells and sirens (c. 30 seconds) for playback during performance is also required.