...the place to find unexpected information about Victor Davies and his works
DID YOU KNOW?
... The fourth movement of "Good Times" (entitled "The Butterfly Dance") is a traditional country dance on the Prairies which consists of a polka alternating with an old time waltz. As in the barn dance situation, the polka is played in fragments to try to confuse the dancers, and finally played faster and faster until there are no more dancers on the floor!
... Because the pieces comprising "Celebrations" are so varied, it would be possible to use them as individual pieces as well as playing them as a complete piece.
... The first movement of "Pulsations" contains two themes. The first one has a rock and roll and raga-like quality. The second contains elements of ragtime and jazz. These are developed, finally resulting in a cadenza where the violin exploits the various sounds available through the use of tape delay, phasing and other electronic effects.
... "Fun For Four" was written to give string players an opportunity to play music in a popular idiom which would be tuneful, have a wide audience appeal, and which would be challenging and enjoyable to perform. Hence the title, "Fun For Four."
... The "Mennonite Piano Concerto," based on traditional Mennonite Hymns, contains a substantial amount of original material. These Hymns (mainly victorian Hymns and American Gospel Songs which have been used by Mennonite congregations) are dramatically transformed through many variations.