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Dance Suite
displays a variety of historical dance forms from a twentieth century
viewpoint by this composer of distinction. The six dances move forward
historically from the ancient Hey, through Waltz and Polka, to the
sophisticated Tango and the jazz tradition. The rhythm that typifies
each dance is constantly under attack, sometimes from a different dance
style altogether. These intrusive elements are most obvious in the
final dance, Break Dance, and prompts the double meaning of the title.
Dance Suite was
commissioned by the Colleges Consortium with the BASBWE Education
Trust, and the first performance was given by Warwick University
Symphonic Wind Ensemble on 25th November 1996 conducted by Colin
Touchin. The piece has been performed in major venues in the UK and USA
and was featured in conference programmes at BASBWE in Manchester and
WASBE 2001 in Lucerne.
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