LA DANSE BALKANIQUE
Chamber Ensemble · 2019 · ca. 20 minutes
For soprano, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and Bulgarian gaida.
About the work
La Danse Balkanique was composed for Ensemble Silakbo as part of Est-Ouest, an intercultural project exploring the musical traditions of Canada and Bulgaria.
The work grew from my encounters with Bulgarian folk music and the similarities I discovered between its traditions and those of my native Nova Scotia. Drawing particularly on Bulgarian dance rhythms, the composition brings together contemporary chamber music and traditional musical influences, moving between driving rhythmic passages and more lyrical, expressive material. The Bulgarian gaida, an instrument I began studying during my time in Sofia, forms an additional connection between these musical worlds.
Written in two movements, La Danse Balkanique was first presented in Bulgaria in 2019 and subsequently toured Canada in 2022.
Created with support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
COMPOSITION & SOUND DESIGN
YEAR
DURATION
INSTRUMENTATION
Adam Vincent Clarke
2019
ca. 20 minutes
Soprano, clarinet, violin, cello, piano and Bulgarian gaida
Les yeux - les yeux ; comme la veille de l’hiver, dans notre danse éternelle.
Les cheveux. Mystère.
Moi, les yeux fermés, moi qui sais à peine.
Moi, les yeux fermés, les yeux fermés.
Dans cette danse, agitante, nous nous jetons nous-mêmes. Avec négligence, avec confiance, se rapprochant. Il y a une violence dans ces pas, cédant la place à la passion, aux murmures et aux jalousies, au désir et à la mémoire - et toi. Mon amour secret.
Un monde peint, encore et encore, dans chaque ombre de votre visage.
Tu es mon secret, mon amour. Et j'attends.
The eyes - the eyes; like a winter’s eve, caught in our eternal dance.
The Hair. Mystery.
Me, with eyes closed, me who but barely knows.
Me, with eyes closed, eyes closed.
It is unto this dance we toss ourselves, agitated.
Carelessly, confidently, coming closer.
There is a violence in these steps,
Giving way to passion, murmurs and jealousies
desire and memories - and you. My secret love.
A world painted, over and over again, in every shadow of your face.
You are my secret my love. And I wait.
And I, with eyes closed, I, who but barely knows.
I, with eyes closed, with eyes closed.
In this dance, flailing, we toss ourselves.
Carelessly, confidently, edging closer.
There is a violence in these footsteps, giving way to a passion, of whispers and jealousies, of desire and memory - and I.
My secret love.
La Danse Balkanique
PREMIERE
TOUR
COMMISSIONED BY
Bulgaria, 2019 (Plovdiv, Burgas, Russe, Sofia)
2022 Canadian Tour (Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Wolfville, Halifax
Canada Council for the Arts
Press
“Both limpid and intense, with particular attention paid to the vocal lines.”
— Arnaud G. Veydarier, La Scena Musicale, October 2022
“The most explosive and festive of all, with occasional waves of lyricism.”
— Justin Bernard, La Scena Musicale, November 2022