James Scott Balentine

Clarinet and Piano

Composer's Notes:

Commissioned by Robert Walzel, clarinet, and Steven Glaser, piano, "Nine Wild, Exotic Dances" was premiered at ClarinetFest 1999 in Ostend, Belgium. The nine movements, although not all strictly dances, were inspired by folk materials from European, South American, and Native American influences.

1. Cielito - an Argentinian dance in triple meter
2. Ishi's Song One - a memorial to Ishi, the last surviving member of the North American Yahi tribe
3. Notturno - a peaceful, slightly mysterious setting of European night music
4. Danzon - a Cuban dance incorporating syncopation and energetic jazz-like flavors
5. Yarevi - a Mayan funeral march
6. Dreher - a German dance modeled on the laendler, or langhaus
7. Ishi's Song Two - a reprise and answer to movement 2
8. Obertas - a Czech dance in triple meter, reflective of the character of movement 1
9. Niñeria - a Mexican children's game, hide-n-seek between the nanny and the child