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

For further information, please contact John Estacio.

March 2, 2004
MONTRÉAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Conductor; Jacques Lacombe
Salle Wilfrid-Pelltier, Place des Arts
Montréal, Quebec
Canada

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

Instrumentation

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

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

Timpani
3 Percussion

Harp

Piano/Celeste

Strings