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Earthdance Concerto was composed for choreographer Jacques Cesbron and the Indiana University Ballet Theatre, and for IU faculty virtuoso pianist Emile Naoumoff and the IU Wind Ensemble, conducted by Ray E. Cramer, who gave both the concert and ballet premieres of the work.  Although many ballet scores have become better known as concert works and many concert works have been used for ballet choreography, it is rather rare that a piece is deliberately composed to have such a dual life at its onset.  In many ways it is this special situation which creates the particular sound and shape of Earthdance Concerto.

The four-movement form of the concerto was prescribed by Jacques Cesbron.  Ironically it follows a traditional symphonic structure that I in the past religiously avoided.  A similar paradox is manifested in the fact that the physical, theatrical extramusical imagery which is the impetus for the music led me to write a score which is more elemental and clear in its rhythmic and formal articulations than any of my non-theatre scores. Superimposed on these considerations is the drama implicit in any concerto: the role of a single protagonist instrument against a powerful large ensemble.  I found the convergence of this array of elements and resulting energy fascinating and intriguing.

Here is a brief description of the four movements of the work:
1) Heart Throb Dance: An insistent pounding rhythm against turns of heroic power chords, strains of lyricism, an ostinato toccata, a free-flown cadenza, a circular melodic distraction, and a sudden return to the dark, irrepressible torrent.
2) Rivet Dance: A "Riverdance" jig with variations -- the scherzo movement.
3) Soundwave Dance: a lyric non-dialogue between the piano and the winds; the principal arpeggio melody line is characterized by its following transposed echo.
4) Ele-metal Dance: The realization of a neologism, combining the hard beats of heavy metal with a fanatical elemental fury.

The composing of Earthdance Concerto was supported by a grant from Indiana University's Arts and Humanities initiative.

Don Freund

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