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ACD200

Mr Darwin's Dances

Performers:


Jonathan Besser






Mr Darwin's dances
I composed this music after reading my Australian friend Roger McDonald's "Mr Darwin's Shooter" - I was taken on a journey on the salty decks of history through Roger's inspired language.

Precious Legacy
In 1998 a very powerful Jewish exhibition arrived in Auckland at the same time I did. The exhibition from Prague was called "Precious Legacy - treasures from the Holocaust".
I was touched equally by the household and the sacred objects; how religious practice and everyday life were so bound together.
It was an important opportunity to reflect on the enormity of feelings that the Holocaust evokes.

My people, my culture, my history, my century.

1.

Mr Darwin’s Dances – Prelude

Jonathan Besser

4:22

2.

Mr Darwin’s Dances – Up the Coast

Jonathan Besser

2:15

3.

Mr Darwin’s Dances – Fiddle

Jonathan Besser

1:51

4.

Frida Kahlo’s Tango

Jonathan Besser

2:42

5.

Hudson River 1 (for Miranda)

Jonathan Besser

3:43

6.

Hudson River 4

Jonathan Besser

2:47

7.

Friday Night Alone – Tango

Jonathan Besser

4:50

8.

Opening Night Tango

Jonathan Besser

2:13

9.

Sarah’s Song (Ballet 2)

Jonathan Besser

4:16

10.

Ballet Ska (Ballet 6)

Jonathan Besser

5:11

11.

Tatiana’s Song (Ballet 12)

Jonathan Besser

4:46

12.

Ballet Klez (Ballet 11)

Jonathan Besser

2:11

13.

Turn

Jonathan Besser

3:35

14.

At-Onement (Ecstasy 1)

4:34

15.

Temptation (Ecstasy 4)

Jonathan Besser

1:39

16.

Return (Ecstasy 8)

Jonathan Besser

3:15

17.

Klez (encore)

Jonathan Besser

5:11