Two Polish Dances

Composer

Patrick Miles

General Information

Year: 2016

Duration: 6 minutes

Publisher: Unpublished (Further details from Patrick Miles)

Movements

1. Krakowiak
2. Kujawiak - Oberek

Instrumentation

Piccolo

Flute I-II

Oboe I-II

Bb Clarinet I-II

Bb Bass Clarinet

Bb Contrabass Clarinet

Eb Alto Saxophone I-II

Bb Tenor Saxophone

Eb Baritone Saxophone

Bassoon I-II

Programme notes

Patrick was inspired by the Hammersmith based Polish folk dance group Tatry. Krakowiaks, Kujawiaks and Obereks are all dances he has played frequently with this group. A Krakowiak derives its name from the city of Krakow, and is usually in two four time; however, the challenge was to write something still recognisable as a Krakowiak while retainining the irregular bar lengths that characterize Patrick’s idiom. The first bar of the piece contains a characteristic Krakowiak rhythm. Kujawiak-Oberek is a pairing that is commonly used; a kujawiak is a slow dance in three four, often in a minor key. Is Patrick’s piece the first atonal kujawiak to be written? An oberek is a much faster dance, also in three four.

Performances

Bloomsbury Woodwind Ensemble (Shea Lolin, conductor) at St James’s Church, London (UK) on Saturday 6 May 2017