Concert Band

Aurora Dances

Grade 4 | 9 Mins

Aurora Dances was commissioned by the Hong Kong-based Winter Band Festival, an international competition for bands of all grades, to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2018. 

The three movements play without a break.

AURORA BOREALIS

Opening with florid woodwind figures, the first movement aims to describe the bright and flowing colours of the Aurora Borealis. It consists of short repeated phrases, somewhat in the style of a fanfare, and highlights different sections of the band in turn. Eventually longer phrases coalesce to lead to a faster coda. 

AURORA AUSTRALIS

Starting mysteriously, flutes and bells accompany solos for clarinet and bass clarinet. These lead to a sombre chorale, which builds to a full-band climax. The mood subsides as the movement closes by recalling the opening solos.

AURORA DANCES

Celebratory in mood, the finale is characterised by rhythmic, dance-like themes. A central section features a contrasting legato melody, but this can’t dispel the energetic feel of the opening, which returns to close the work.