Four Rustic Dances
These are arrangements of traditional folk dances from various parts of Europe, and were dedicated to my mother with the ulterior motive of getting her to practice the piano! The pieces are specifically designed, however, with children in mind, and avoid large stretches or heavy chords. Suggested tempi are indicated in the edition, but all the pieces are playable in a fairly wide range of tempi, making them accessible to near-beginners as well as providing lively showpieces for more advanced young players. So far they have been taken up by children up to the age of 92 years old...
A Dance for David
My musical colleague and friend Helen Kasztelan requested a piano duet that she could eventually play with her recently-born son David. She also asked if some Latvian folksong could be woven into the musical tapestry, reflecting the rich Latvian culture passed to them both through Helen's mother.
Most duets for adult and child have the child playing the prima part. Musically it suited me to reverse this, especially as I've noticed that children rarely enjoy practising a high isolated prima part. Here they can enjoy the most resonant part of the piano.
The piece centres on the life of young David. To the opening rhythm of the heart is added the first prima part entry, the dancing of the blood. David's heritage is reflected by two Latvian folk melodies. The first, at bar 31, is a variation on a christening song; the second, at bar 56, is a cradle song whose accompaniment suggests the stars and David's celestial origins. Finally the child falls asleep, peaceful and reassured.
Wendy Hiscocks
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