Terpsichore in Sneakers

Terpsichore in Sneakers (2025)

for symphony orchestra

2 fl; 2 ob; 2 cl; 2 bsn
2 hn; 2 tpt; 2 tbn; tba
timp; 2 perc; hp
strings

Duration: c. 3 minutes

Programme note:

Terpsichore in Sneakers takes its title from Sally Banes’ influential 1987 text, which documents the emergence of post-modern dance [in the United States] and its evolution from avant-garde experimentation to hybrid, vernacular forms such as breakdancing. Like Banes’ exploration of movement beyond the classical canon, this orchestral work draws inspiration from the collision of tradition and innovation.

Structured around a recurring 13-beat rhythmic cycle, the work integrates asymmetry and drive, evoking both ancient metrical practices and the kinetic energy of modern dance. The music shifts through contrasting textures and layered rhythmic patterns, echoing the playful, exploratory spirit of post-modern dance.

By foregrounding pulse, gesture, and transformation, Terpsichore in Sneakers aims to illuminate the enduring interdependence of music and movement. The work embodies a compositional inquiry central to the composer’s practice: how sound might trace, provoke, or reflect the body in motion.

Charlie Barber, July 2025