Dances. Woe. Dreams.

The initial impetus for Dances. Woe. Dreams. was provided by my growing interest
in klezmer, and in particular my encounter with Walter Feldman's magisterial study
'Klezmer: Music, History and Memory.' This led me to imagine an evening of music
and dancing which became the first movement, entitled At the fiddler's dance.

The second movement (Uprooted) was inspired by accounts of people fleeing their
villages during World War II as the Nazis approached. But my intention is that this
movement should reflect the plight of anyone experiencing danger and exile: the
sorrow of farewell, the terror of pursuit and the dreams of a better life.

I wanted the poignant contrast between the unfettered joy of the first movement
and the tragic intensity of the second to reflect my sense of today's world, while still
leaving room for aspiration and renewal.

The work was composed for Halifax's incomparable Rhapsody Quintet, and will
receive its first performance at St. Matthew's Church on August 26 at noon, as part
of the closing concert in the Summer Music@Barrington series.

Marc Chagall, The Fiddler. 1913

Rhapsody Quintet at Government House, Halifax

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