The Lady With Limbs Like Fireworks (2014)

for saxophone quartet

This work was written to accompany a small group of dancers from the English National Ballet during its run of Le Corsaire ("The Pirate") in early 2014.  The task was to compose a short, 4-minute work that could be choreographed and premiered in the UK as a modern adaptation of Le Corsaire. 

The source of inspiration for this new choreography and music was taken from a poem written around the story of Le Corsaire.  The line of the poem I was asked to use contained the phrase: "the lady with limbs like fireworks."  

I interpreted this part of the poem as a romantic dance of a beautiful young woman using her extraordinary moves and gestures to attract her partner.  This is illustrated first in a slow, rubato section to highlight her overwhelming beauty and is then contrasted by flamenco-inspired passion complete with hand claps and foot stomps from the saxophonists.  The work draws to a close by returning to the opening romantic style as the young woman realizes she has been successful in attracting a young man's ("the pirate") interest in her.

Photo: "Dancing in the Sunset......" by ClaraDon is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0