Arabian Dances

Brian Balmages

Grade 4.0

Explore Middle Eastern sounds with this work that combines authentic traditional melodies and rhythms with original music. After a haunting opening, authentic Middle Eastern percussion instruments create the groove that accompanies the folk song  As the orchestration builds, original themes are intertwined before the percussion ensemble becomes the focus of the third section. The final melody,  develops until it morphs into an ostinato over a magnificent presentation of the original theme that is found throughout the work. A riveting ending brings this thrilling work to a dynamic close! (6:30)

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