Barn Dances

Description

Libby Larsen’s Barn Dances is a set of four abstract pieces for flute, clarinet, and piano. Each piece draws its title from the name of a particular dance step used in cowboy dances; these dance steps are used as a point of departure to create the musical equivalent of a character drawing.

‘Forward Six and Fall Back Eight’ uses fiddle fifths, or the tuning gesture of country fiddling, and is a hoedown jig. ‘Divide the Ring’ is an homage to Gene Autry, one of the great cowboy singers; the main theme is in cowboy swing style. ‘Varsouvianna’ is a slow, simple, and dreamlike waltz.’ Percussive, unpredictable in its accents, and virtuosic in its ensemble, ‘Rattlesnake Twist’ can be thought of as a jazz-driven equivalent of a tarantella.

For advanced players.

Additional information