Dos Danzas

PROGRAM NOTES:

Dos Danzas for Concert Band (2010) was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, Miller Asbill and The Texas Tech University Concert Band who premiered the work on April 5, 2010 at Hemmle Recital Hall, Lubbock, Texas. As if emerging from a fog, the first movement, Tangential Tango, is a sultry bitonal dance utilizing long melodic lines against a pulsing tango rhythm. The two keys are attracted to one another, yet gently push apart like magnets of the same polarity. The second movement, Gallo Fino, translates from Spanish as “fine rooster;” in the colloquial, however, it also refers to an overly confident, finely dressed man. The uneven time signature supports the imagery of a strutting rooster preened to impress. Many thanks to Miller Asbill, the music students at Texas Tech University, and Brian Amer for their artistic support. 

 -- Notes by Andrea Reinkemeyer 
These notes may be used with proper attribution.

STUDY NOTES:

These two movements for concert band are re-compositions of early pieces by the composer. 

• Tangential Tango started its life as the tenth movement in a set of graduated piano pieces called Souvenirs. 

Gallo fino has had two previous lives. Originally set as the third song – An autumn morning in Shokoku-ji – from Four Poems for Robin for Soprano and Viola, it was re-composed for orchestra as the first movement, Growth, from Lured by the Horizon for Orchestra. The concert band version, again expanded and re-composed, was specifically requested by Miller Asbill for this project.