The Kiel Canal Dance Suite, Trio in Three Movements

This is one of my very favorite compositions. Movement I is a simple, memorable, childlike melody. Movement II is then based on interlocking motives from Movement I, using surprise and mixed-meter rather than harmonic development to build interest (built nearly entirely on a G-Major Chord). Movement III starts and ends with a wistful melody but the middle section sneaks around like an undercover spy.

Movement II is also available for SATB choir as La Abeja Zumba. This piece was written in 2015 and Premiered in Salt Lake City in 2018 by Diego Plata (flute), Mallory Todd (viola) and Grace Stephenson Nielsen (Harp). In 2024 I made extensive changes so it is less demanding of the flute player with more interesting passages shared more equally between instruments. Essentially any combination of the following instruments is possible:

Part I – Flute, Clarinet or Violin

Part II – Clarinet, Viola or Cello

Part IIIOrchestral Harp or Piano

World Premier, Salt Lake City, August 10th, 2018

Diego Plata (Flute), Mallory Todd (Viola), Grace Nielsen (Orchestral Harp)

Watch the Premier on YouTube:

 By Movement (MP3 files from the SLC Premier):

Sycamore Trio Pg1

 

MP3 Audio Files from the Premier  (free to download for your own device):

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MP3 Audio from The Kiel Canal Dance Suite Premier 42.68 MB 237 downloads

Available for free.  Enjoy!  (3 movements) ...

Composer: W.T. Stephenson (1963 - )
Arranger: W.T. Stephenson
Created: Feb 2024
Lyrics:

The original melody for Movement III derives from the following lyrics:

Waltz of the Sycamore Leaf

The sycamore leaf...
The sycamore leaf...
It rises high
Up to the sky.
And then it falls
When autumn calls, dear.
And then it comes,
And then it comes to me.

Movements:

  1. Dancing on Water  (2:15)
  2. The Extra Shuffle Waltz  (2:50)
  3. Waltz of the Sycamore Leaf  (5:05)
Duration: 11:10