ORCHESTRAL »

Il faut danser la vie
For Orchestra

Instrumentation: 3 *2 *2 2/ 4 *3 3 1/ tmp + 3 perc/ harp/ pno. & cel./ strings
Duration: 12'

Programme Notes

My goal was to create a joyous piece of music inspired by the free-spirit that dwells within us all. I felt the urge to compose something that was bold, colourful, driven by infectious rhythms and, for the most part, unencumbered by seriousness. For the longest time I struggled with a title that could encompass my vision for this orchestral work; it wasn’t until I serendipitously came across
a forgotten bookmark in a borrowed book did I discover a suitable candidate. On this bookmark was a photograph of the renowned philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and one of his famous quotes: “Il faut danser la vie.”

A simple accompaniment pattern created by the harp, piano and marimba begins the piece.
The first of two themes is a capricious melody introduced by a solo flute. The second theme, played by a solo French horn, attempts to be amorous despite the cheeky accompaniments in
the woodwinds and strings. An aggressive development of the two themes ensues with the amiable mood of the piece suddenly shattered by boisterous syncopated rhythms from the brass. The once amorous second theme transforms into a wild waltz. The brass section eventually dominates the texture with a macabre but quasi majestic variation on the waltz theme. After a quiet introspective solo on the English horn, the accompaniment pattern heard at the very start attempts to capture the equanimity of the opening. Eventually the capricious first theme makes a resplendent return, this time played by the strings.

March 2004


Audio Samples

For further information, please contact John Estacio.


Premiere

March 2, 2004
MONTRÉAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Conductor; Jacques Lacombe
Salle Wilfrid-Pelltier, Place des Arts
Montréal, Quebec
Canada

 

ORCHESTRA TORONTO
February 17, 2008

Conductor: Errol Gay
QUEBEC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
December 19, 2007

 

 

 

 


Reviews

 


Score/Parts Rental

For more information on score and parts rental for Il faut danser la vie, contact John Estacio.

Instrumentation

2 Flutes
Piccolo
2 Oboes (2nd doubles on English Horn)
2 Clarinets in Bb (2nd doubles on Bb Bass Clarinet)
2 Bassoons

4 Horns in F
3 Trumpets in C (1st doubles on Bb Piccolo Trumpet)
2 Trombones
Bass Trombone
Tuba

Timpani
3 Percussion

Harp

Piano/Celeste

Strings