In Circles - 16 Imaginary Dances for 18 Players (2010). Parts are available on hire: hire@ewh.dk Instr.: FluteOboeClarinet in BbBass ClarinetBassoonHorn2 Trumpets In BbTenor-Bassposaune2 PercussionistsPiano2 ViolinsViola2 CellosDouble Bass Programme note About five years ago the Ensemble Modern commissioned a composition giving me relatively free rein over instrumentation duration and completion date. I was very excited about the opportunity and eager to start work but first I had to finish asymphony and a cello concerto. However when I wanted to begin writing the piece for Frankfurt inspiration became silent and remained silent for the next three years apart from the two works for chamber orchestra: I experienced my first writer’s block. This was not my first commission but the first time that I was seriously worried about a piece and started thinking about the commissioning ensemble and its expectations. If anything I held the Ensemble Modern in too high esteem. The ensemble is notorious for being a group of all-rounders who have already seen and done everything. However it was simply time for me to challenge my self-belief as composer and to search out what kind of composer I really am. Whatever the true reason was I still didn’t get anything down on paper. Nothing would gel. In 2008 a stipend from a New York foundation led me to an Italian lavender-castle from the 15th century far away from everything else deep in Umbria. The deadline for my first opera moved dangerously closer but was barely started. The next commission for an orchestra was also waiting in addition to the piece for EM: only empty sheets.  When I came home six weeks later though I hadn’t finished anything the spell was broken. Behind the massive walls drafts had been created for what within the

Nico Muhly's Step Team for 9 players. Full score.'Stepping is a form of almost militaristic dancing involving the entire body as well as the voice. The routines are highly choreographed and precise but maintain an expressive freedom that comes out of the energy required to pull off the moves. In writing this piece for the Chicago Symphony MusicNOW I wanted to avoid too much delicate pointillistic writing and instead focused on making the nine players function as one team with a singular rhythmic agenda. Whenever the Chicago Symphony comes to New York I am always impressed with the massive steakhouse-style proportions of the brasssound so this score features the Bass Trombone as a guide for the harmonic and lyrical material.At a certain point in the piece the rhythmic unisons begin to break down and individual players or groups of players start slowing down or speeding up against the pulse. The Bass Trombone works as a unifying element here announcing the changes between sections. Some scattered pulses ensue and the brass section continuously shepherds the other instruments back into line. Step Team ends with a duet between the Bass Trombone and the Piano with a series of ornaments from the other players.' - Nico MuhlyInstrumentation: Flute Bassoon Horn in F Tenor Trombone Bass Trombone Piano Violin Viola Cello