The music of Belize-born British composer Errollyn Wallen (b 1958) is multi-faceted, with influences ranging from anywhere between avant-garde classical to popular songwriting. She writes that ''a new composition always poses a question, whether that be technical or philosophical. The challenge for me is to find answers and sometimes this leads to using new techniques to do so.'' Her approach toward music is best summed up by the motto of her performing group Ensemble X: ''We don't break down barriers... we don't see any.''
Wallen writes about ''Dervish'' for cello and piano: ''In dervish dances, contrary to popular myth, there is absolutely no hedonistic wildness; the swirling skirts move from rapt and still devotion. The Sufi dance is solely for worship. I wanted to capture this atmosphere (Dervish proceeds from an intense, trance-like state) and also to set it beside the passion that is in speed.''
Suitable for advanced players.
