Work
Dancing with Diaghilev : for alto saxophone and piano
by Jessica Wells (2019, this version: 2026)
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Dancing with Diaghilev : for alto saxophone and string quartet / Jessica Wells.
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Score [ePDF]
Dancing with Diaghilev : for alto saxophone and string quartet [eScore] / Jessica Wells.
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Work Overview
A series of three dance movements which take their inspiration from the ballet music of Ravel and Prokofiev.
Movement I is inspired by Ravel's ballet "Daphnis et Chloe" (1912), where the couple imitate the tale of Pan and Syrinx. Pan declares his love for Syrinx who rebuffs him and disappears into the reeds. Pan forms a flute from the reeds and plays to her, coaxing her back to him where they dance themselves into a frenzy and she falls into his arms.
Movement II is inspired by Prokofiev's ballet "Le fils prodigue" (1928) (The Prodigal Son), where the young man leaves home only to be seduced by a siren. Prokofiev was upset with Balanchine's choreography that made the siren quite provocative! My music attempts to match more closely the cold seductiveness and the cobra-like arm of the siren who controls her subject with ease.
Movement III inspired by Prokofiev's "Scythian Suite" (1915) which was created after his ballet music "Ala I Lolli" was rejected by Diaghilev for being too close in topic to Stravinsky's "Sacre du Printemps" (The Rite of Spring). The prehistoric tribe of barbarians make a sacrifice and the evil god performs a violent dance surrounded by seven monsters.
This piece was originally written for Alto Saxophone & String Quartet in 2019, commissioned by Amy Dickson and performed by Amy Dickson & the Australian String Quartet. Each movement can also be performed as a standalone work.
Work Details
Year: 2019, this version: 2026
Instrumentation: Alto saxophone, piano,
Duration: 9 min.
Difficulty: Medium
Contents note: I. Les Amours de Pan et Syrinx (The loves of Pan and Syrinx) -- II. L'enjoleuse (The siren) -- III . Le dieu ennemi et la danse des esprits noirs (The Enemy God and the Dance of the Spirits of Darkness)
The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc associated with this work:
Ballet music for the Ballet Russes 1909-1929 Ravel - Daphnis et Chloe Prokofiev - The Prodigal Son Prokofiev - Scythian Suite
Performances of this work
31 Jul 2019: at AFCM: New Connections (Townsville Civic Theatre). Featuring Amy Dickson, Australian String Quartet.
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