Dance Diabolique

Dance Diabolique begins with a distant call in the solo horn part, which beckons the listener into a turbulent musical landscape. The slow introduction fades into the distance, with the percussion section heralding the arrival of the fast section. The band progresses through numerous episodes, both violent and lyrical in nature. The piece is full of driving rhythmic passages and soaring melodies, with the percussion section featured predominantly throughout the work.

Genre: Band | # of Players: Standard
Level: 3 | Duration: 6:25

Instrumentation
Piccolo
Flute 1/2
Oboe 1/2
Bassoon 1/2
Clarinet in Bb 1
Clarinet in Bb 2
Clarinet in Bb 3
Bass Clarinet in Bb
Alto Saxophone 1/2
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone

Trumpet in Bb 1
Trumpet in Bb 2
Trumpet in Bb 3
Horn in F 1/2
Horn in F 3/4
Trombone 1
Trombone 2/3
Euphonium
Tuba

Timpani
Mallet 1 (Chimes, Xylophone)
Mallet 2 (Marimba, Bells)
Percussion 1 (Vibraslap, Bass Drum, 4 Concert Toms, Snare Drum)
Percussion 2 (Wind Chimes, Triangle, Temple Blocks, Snare Drum, Cabasa, Tambourine)
Percussion 3 (Tam-Tam, Bongos, Shaker, Suspended Cymbal)
Percussion 4 (Suspended Cymbal, Tam-Tam, Whip, Hi-Hat, 2 Brake Drums, Chinese Cymbal)

Program Notes
Dance Diabolique was commissioned by Erik Harris, director of the Northern Nash High School Band (Rocky Mount, NC). The piece received its premiere performance at the North Carolina Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Winston-Salem, NC in November 2004. Dance Diabolique is composed in two sections. The piece begins with a distant call in the solo horn part, which beckons the listener into a turbulent musical landscape. The call is restated as layers of sound build to a fortissimo climax with the full ensemble. The slow introduction fades into the distance, with the percussion section heralding the arrival of the fast section. The melody is initially stated by a solo clarinet, which is then joined by a solo flute. The band progresses through numerous episodes, both violent and lyrical in nature. The piece is full of driving rhythmic passages and soaring melodies, with the percussion section featured predominantly throughout the work.

- Gary Ziek