by Guy Woolfenden

Grade 4.5 duration 10 minutes           I Rondeau     II Aubade   III Gigue         Click the movement titles above for 30 second samples   Some of the thematic material for this suite of three dances is adapted from music originally written for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The precise location of Illyria was not important to Shakespeare; what excited him was the resonance of the word itself and the romance of all far away, make-believe places. Illyria is “Never Never Land”, and the composer was intrigued with the idea of inventing dances for such a place. Illyrian Dances was commissioned by the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles with funds provided by West Midlands Arts and is dedicated to Timothy Reynish. The first performance took place on 26th September 1986 at Warwick University during the fifth annual BASBWE Conference. ..... once again demonstrating the composer’s ear for sonorities and feel for attractive tunes and catchy rhythmic devices. This, like Gallimaufry, is light music of the highest order, English without being plagiaristic, challenging for players and good to listen to. Winds Magazine Guy Woolfenden’s Illyrian Dances show this composer to be real master of the medium, exploiting with colourful writing all the timbres of wind instruments, sometimes in unexpected parts of their compass. It is enjoyable music to play and to listen to. Winds Magazine   Recordings CD DOY 042: Gallimaufry, featuring the wind music of Guy Woolfenden Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra conducted by the composer   ELFCD 1007: Basically British Philharmonia à Vent conducted by John Boyd   Mark MCBS 35891 Ithaca College Wind Ensemble conducted by Rodney Winther

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