Eternal Dance (flute & piano)

The majority of this work is written in either 7/8 or 5/4. The sections in 7 always adhere to the same rhythmic pattern : 2+2+3, much in the manner of No 2 of  Bartok's Six Dances in Bulgarian Rhythm from Vol V1 of his Mikrokosmos. This rhythm is endemic to the Richenitsa, a dance often played at weddings in Bulgaria. The bars of the 5/4 sections are subdivided into 3+2 as in Take Five by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. There is a central section (86­-131) which employs the more symmetrical time signatures of 4/4 and 3/4 but, like the outer cores of the composition, the rhythmic drive is unrelenting.
Any performance of the piece must be absolutely metronomic right up until the last six bars where the music begins to evanesce.
You will note that the composer has indicated an optional cut. The preferred version is the longer one but, in the event of the flautist being a non-­improviser, the shorter one will work perfectly well.

AstuteMusic · Geoff Eales - Eternal Dance

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Eternal Dance was recorded by Andy Findon and Geoff Eales on the CD 'The Dancing Flute' (Nimbus Alliance NI 6216)