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THE DANCING BIRD A Suite in Six Movements
I composed THE DANCING BIRD in response to a need expressed by Francesca Vanasco for a number of original works for the unusual combination of flute,cello, bass and vibraphone that make up ALBORADA LATINA The Chamber Ensemble for Latin American Music.
THE DANCING BIRD was begun after I received a diagram of a Spanish Sevillanas from Basilio Georges. I used the 47 bar form as a framework for "Sevillanas Magicas" (1991), a Spanish sevillanas with an American accent. I then went on to write "Bulerias," "Purple Night," and "Scherzo Merengue," integrating structural and developmental devices used by Beethoven with flamenco and Venezuelan rhythms and my own melodic and harmonic materials.
"Bulerias" (1991) integrates the traditional 12/8-6/4 rhythmic phrase found in the virtuosic improvisatory flamenco bulerias.
In "Purple Night" (1991) I combine the gently pulsating 3/4-6/8 rhythm of the Venezuelan tonada with more extended phrasing in 4/4.
"Scherzo Merengue" (1992) is modeled after a Beethoven "Scherzo" with its alternating and contrasting thematic material, the rhythms in fast 5/8 being inspired by the Venezuelan merengue.
"Tempo Danzon" (1993) is influenced by the two different Danzon tempi found on a recording by the famous Orquesta Aragon of Cuba.
The last piece composed for THE DANCING BIRD was "Glimmerglass" (1993). I wrote this piece while spending a great deal of time house-hunting in Cooperstown, New York in the late winter/early spring. The two sections, one in duple and one in triple meter (the bass plays only in the duple meter), alternate in approximately the proportion of .618/1 (the golden section).
THE DANCING BIRD A Suite in Six Movements
DOMINIQUE SOUCY, Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
VICTOR RICE, Electric Bass
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio Op. 97 in B flat Major)
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio in D Major Op. 70)
3. SCHERZO MERENGUE (8:27)
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio Op. 97 in B flat Major)
6. SEVILLANAS MAGICAS* (7:06)
dedicated to Francesca Vanasco
*Introductory improvisation by Francesca Vanasco
Produced by Thad Wheeler, Francesca Vanasco, and Da-Hong Seetoo.
American Academy of Arts and Letters
PRE-COLUMBIAN DESIGNS FROM PANAMA
by Samuel Kirkland Lothrop
Special thanks to the following who contributed in many ways to the completion of this project: (in alphabetical order)
Vincent and Amelia Artonio, Pedro Cortes Jr., Joseph Eggebeen, Paul Gemignani, Marty Khan, Alexander Lepak, Ed Lynch, Steve Reich, Mel Rodnon, Mr. and Mrs. John B. Vanasco, Helen L. Wheeler ,* Jim Wheeler and Ted Welch.
THAD WHEELER (b. 1955) is the founder and director of THE WHEELER PROJECT which had its world premier performance in March of l992.
As a composer Mr. Wheeler is self taught. He has studied timpani with Saul Goodman, Afro-Cuban percussion with Louis Bauzo and percussion with Alexander Lepak.
Wheeler tours internationally with Steve Reich and is musical director and arranger of ALBORADA LATINA The Chamber Ensemble for Latin American Music, and co-founder of the ZASIS IMPROVISATORY ENSEMBLE.
P.O. Box 5011, Albany, NY 12205-0011
Tel: 518.453.2203 FAX: 518.453.2205
Box 12, Warton, Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9PD
Tel: 0524 735873 FAX: 0524 736448
DOMINIQUE SOUCY, Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
VICTOR RICE, Electric Bass
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio Op. 97 in B flat Major)
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio in D Major Op. 70)
3. SCHERZO MERENGUE (8:27)
(after Beethoven's Piano Trio Op. 97 in B flat Major)
6. SEVILLANAS MAGICAS* (7:06)
dedicated to Francesca Vanasco
*Introductory improvisation by Francesca Vanasco
Produced by Thad Wheeler, Francesca Vanasco and Da-Hong Seetoo
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