Dance of Avalon

Description

• Composer: Tony Osborne
• Publisher: Recital Music

Dance of Avalon was commissioned by Catherine Lord (Senior Violin Tutor at Wells Cathedral School) with funds kindly provided by Tony Padday of Wells Violins. Inspired by the proximity of Wells to Glastonbury, with its ancient Tor and all its associated mysteries and festivities, Dance of Avalon has a distinct flavour of folklore and Arthurian legend, with a more contemporary energy and spirit. It opens with a flowing but rhythmic tune in 6/8 which develops into contrapuntal interplay. Each part has a fair share of both melody and accompaniment - leading and supporting respectively. The whole piece is propelled by a strong and exciting life force, building into a rousing and flourishing finale. It can be played by violin quartet or larger forces. Dance of Avalon is syncopated, lively, full of high spirits and fun, with rhythmic challenges for each player, offering new repertoire for the adventurous violin ensemble. The jazz influences, rhythms and idioms are typical of Tony Osborne's work and this extended one-movement work is vibrant and exciting in performance. Dance of Avalon was premiered on 4 April 2004 as part of Violin-Fest at Sherborne School (Dorset). Tony Osborne is an important educationalist and prolific composer who has made a significant and unique contribution to the double bass repertoire over the past 35 years. His solo music for young bassists is included by many international examination boards, and his many ensembles pieces are performed at workshops and concerts throughout the world. Tony Osborne notes the influences of Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein, alongside some of the Russian masters, on his music, which he combines with a jazzy, rhythmic and energetic style that has been popular with players and audiences worldwide. Born in 1947 into a musical family. Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (Lon don) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divides a busy career between composing, teaching and performing. A very prolific composer and arranger. Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem and many works for string orchestra. In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass, and has been a featured composer at Bass-Fest for the past decade. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3 and wrote a number of impressive and innovative works for the project. He has been a judge for the British Composer Awards over the past few years and has been a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition since 1999. Recital Music is planning a major festival of Tony Osborne's music in 2012, to celebrate the composer's 65th birthday, and has formulated a 10-year project to publish all his works for double bass. www.tony-osborne.com