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Written for Linda Merrick and Birmingham Symphonic Winds, African Dances is a continuous work for solo clarinet and wind ensemble consisting of five individual sections, each drawing on different aspects of Pan-African music. Many of the structural elements within the piece are based on the styles and forms that are characteristic of the African choral tradition. The rhythmic content of the piece contains many of the complex cross-rhythms and patterns that are predominant throughout African music, and particularly African Percussion.
(Duration - 11.1/2 minutes)

African Dances was first performed by Linda Merrick and Birmingham Symphonic Winds, conducted by Keith Allen, on 19th June 1999, at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham.

Publisher: Faber Music