Catalina Dances

Chamber orchestra, 1996

4 movements
   I. in 4
   II. in 7
   III. in 9
   IV. Rondo

Duration: 17 minutes

Instrumentation:
2 Flutes (player 2 doubling on Piccolo)
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets (in A and Bb; player 2 doubling on Bb Bass Clarinet)
2 Bassoons
2 Horns (in F)
2 Trumpets (in C)
Trombone
2 Percussion
Piano
Strings

Program note:
There is a long standing tradition of concert pieces for orchestra based on popular dance rhythms, such as minuet, gigue, sarabande, and so on. Catalina Dances follows in this tradition, using rhythms drawn from contemporary popular and "folk" music, most notably jazz, rock, and funk.  In addition, traces of Balinese, Mediterranean, and Irish rhythms are employed (in the first, second, and third movements, respectively). The four movements are connected through the use of foreshadowing and reminiscence.  Wind instruments figure prominently in this work, with solos for several instruments, culminating in a miniature concerto for flute in the third movement. The first three movements explore different meters, while the finale, a somewhat traditional rondo in mixed meters, pays homage to the use of dance rhythms in the concert works of many nineteenth-century composers, represented by the use of somewhat traditional harmonies.

Commissioned by the Catalina Chamber Orchestra and recorded by them with Enrique Lasansky, conductor, on a promotional CD.