3 Dances

3 Dances is a Suite written in 3 movements. It is a typical example of the versatile composing talent of Roland Szentpali. His approach to jazz is well structured, with subtle fast or slow groovy sequences of the different instrumental and rhythm sections, stimulating (and how !) the two soloists interacting with each other.

I. Blow On Fire starts with a free cadenza that is an introduction merging into fast elements which appear all along this movement. The soloists start to play once the melodic elements burn, and from then develop their own dynamic shifts.

II. Oriental Flavors is another kind of groove (as the movement title suggests), beginning with a short opening of the clarinet section falling into secco rhythm that beats in contrasts with the stimulating lyrical intervention by the soloists.

III. Cinder Dance has a specific introduction that leads the musicians and the audience on the path of various trances over several uneven time signatures. At a certain point, the soloists fly through cadencial sequences just over the rhythm section, before ending on a long collective and steamy final progression.

Instrumentation: solo soprano saxophone, solo tuba (or euphonium), piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, Eb clarinet, 3 Bb clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, 2 cornets, 3 trumpets, 4 horns, 2 tenor trombones, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, xylophone, vibraphone, marimba, bass guitar, drum set