Pagan Dances

James Barnes

James Barnes

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This work bears the designation Opus 70.

General Info

Year: 1987 / 1996
Duration: c. 13:00
Difficulty: V (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Southern Music
Cost: Score and Parts - $125.00   |   Score Only - $74.95

Movements

1. Ritual - 3:26
2. Mystics - 7:00
3. Master of the Sword - 3:40

Instrumentation

(Needed, please join the WRP if you can help.)

Errata

None discovered thus far.

Program Notes

The Pagan Dances completes the cycle of four “primitive” works for symphonic band. I began with Visions Macabre in 1978, followed by Invocation and Toccata in 1980, and Torch Dance in 1984. All of these works employ highly dissonant harmonic combinations, repetitive melodic material, and driving rhythm to showcase the symphonic band’s immense power and dramatic color combinations. This suite is intended to portray an imaginary scene from prehistoric times as if it were a scene from a ballet. It begins with the entrance of the worshipers performing a ritual dance before their idol god. Mystics, or high priests, appear, evoking incantations and performing feats of sorcery before the worshipers. Suddenly, The master of the sword enters, performing a savage dance that culminates with his execution of a sacrifice on the high altar with his broadsword.

- Program Note by James Barnes

Commercial Discography

None discovered thus far.

State Ratings

• Georgia: VI
• Iowa: IV
• Indiana: ISSMA SENIOR BAND GROUP I
• Kansas: VI
• Maryland: VI
• New York: Concert Band VI
• Oklahoma: V-A
• South Carolina: I
• Virginia: IV

Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project

• Indiana University (Bloomington) Concert Band (Jason H. Nam, conductor) – – 1 October 2019
• University of Louisiana Monroe Wind Ensemble (Derle R. Long, conductor) – 10 April 2019
• Indiana University Symphonic Band (Eric M. Smedley, conductor) - 18 November 2014
• Northwest Missouri State University Wind Symphony: mvt. 3 (John Bell, conductor) – 20 February 2014
• North West Wind Ensemble (Sydney, Aus.) (James Brice, conductor) - 2014
• UPEI Wind Symphony (Charlottetown, PEI, Can.)(Karem J. Simon, conductor) - November 2004

Works for Winds by this Composer

• All Pleasant Things (1998)
• Alvamar Overture (1981)
• Appalachian Overture (1983)
• Arioso and Presto
• Autumn Soliloquy (1987)
• Breckenridge
• Brookshire Suite (1980)
• Caribbean Hideaway
• Carnaval in São Paulo (2003)
• Centennial Celebration Overture (1986)
• Century Tower
• Chorale and Jubiloso (1998)
• Citadel (2015)
• Credo (2016)
• Crossgate (1984)
• Danza Sinfonica
• Desperate Pursuit (2012)
• Dexter Park Celebration (2017)
• Dream Journey
• Eagle Bend
• Eaglecrest (1984)
• Eisenhower Centennial
• Escenas de los Aztecas (2012)
• Fanfare and Capriccio
• Fanfare and Processional (2018)
• Fanfare for West Point
• Fanfares and Alleluias
• Fantasy Variations on a Theme by Nicolo Paganini (1988)
• Festival Concert March
• Foxfire
• Golden Festival Overture
• Heatherwood Portrait
• High Plains Overture
• Hobart Centennial March
• Hunter Park
• Impressions of Japan (1994)
• Inspiration Point
• Inventions on Marching Songs
• Invocation and Toccata (1982)
• Jubilation Overture
• Legend
• Leroy Anderson Portrait, A (as arranger)
• A Light in the Wilderness
• Lonely Beach (1993)
• The Long Gray Line (1988)
• Lyric Interlude (1980)
• Maracas from Caracas
• Meditation (2017)
• Nulli Secundus
• The Old Guard
• Pagan Dances (1996)
• The Perishing Rifles
• Poetic Intermezzo (1985)
• Porgy and Bess (as arranger) (1928/2002)
• Quest (2016)
• Rapscallion
• Rhapsodic Essay
• Ritmico (2018)
• Riverfest (1985)
• Romanza
• The Silver Gazebo
• A Solemn Prelude
• Sorcery Suite (2002)
• Spitfire Overture (1991)
• Stone Meadows
• Sunflower Saga
• Symphonic Essay (2012)
• Symphonic Overture (1991)
• Symphonic Requiem (2015)
• Symphony No. 2
• Symphony No. 3 (1997)
• Symphony No. 4
• Symphony No. 5 (2000)
• Symphony No. 9 (2018)
• Tchaikovsky Suite
• The Texans (1986)
• Three Symphonic Fanfares (1989)
• Toccata Fantastica
• Torch Dance
• Trail of Tears (1989)
• Trailridge Saga
• Tribute (2011)
• Tuba Concerto
• Twin Oaks
• Variants on a Moravian Hymn
• A Very American Overture
• Visions Macabres (1984/2006)
• We the People
• Westport Overture
• Westridge Overture (1983/1991)
• The Wild Blue Yonder (2008)
• Yama Midori
• Yorkshire Ballad (1985)

References

• Barnes, J. (1996). Pagan Dances: For Symphonic Band [score]. Southern Music Co.: San Antonio, Tex.