SKU: SU.32040050

Woodwind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon) Duration: 6' Composed: 2012 Published by: Amy Mills Music, LLC 3 movements I. Seven Toes Down II. En Pointe III. Muddy Boots This charming suite has three short movements, each with its own character. The suite bursts open with breathless energy. Seven Toes Down is modal, in 7/8 time, with people dancing in bare feet on bare ground, so vigorously that it kicks up the dust. En Pointe opens with a lovely waltz, then it focuses in on the tiny, delicate movements of a ballerina high up on her toes. Muddy Boots is big strong guys, covered with dirt from a hard day of work, practicing one-upmanship. Different players have the chance to show what they can do, surrounded by their friends. Then we catch another glimpse of the ballerina before closing playfully with Seven Toes Down. Difficulty Level: 4 (Advanced) See composer website for audio sample.

SKU: CN.S11295

Greek Folk Dances captures the excitement of two dance styles the composer encountered while on holiday in the Greek Islands - the Hasapiko and the Syrto. The first is slow and dramatic dance that plods along showcasing the solo clarinet, while the second is a blazing fast fire dance that alternates between 4/4, 3/4 and 7/8.

The inspiration for these dances came from my first proper cruise in 2007, when we traveled around Greek islands and spent a week on the island of Corfu. Traditional music was all around us and we had the chance to watch and take part in some dancing. I began to formulate mu own ideas into two of the dance styles I had encountered - the Hasapiko and the Syrto. The Hasapiko is a butcher dance where the dancers put their arms around each other's shoulders and move in a slow side to side motion, dragging the insides of their feet on the ground. The music often speeds up, but not necessarily. The Syrto is much faster, again with arms around shoulders. Often a solo dancer breaks away, doing acrobatic dance tricks in the middle of the circle. I observed solo fire dancing among flames sprayed onto the ground using some flammable liquid. I have tried to capture some of the excitement of this. The Syrto can be in 3/4 time or 7/8 time, or a mixture of the two. I have used all three options in a gradual speeding up process charging towards a hugely energetic ending.