Not Just a Place was commissioned by Duncan McTier and completed in November 1999. Cecilia McDowall has noted: In Buenos Aires, birthplace of the tango, there is an old tango hall just off the Avenida Corrientes, which is known as "the street that never sleeps". A faded sign hangs over the stage: "Salon Argentina—not just a place but somewhere to make friends". In the hall the dancers move under a dim light in grim, pas-sionate embrace. Not Just a Place opens with an air of desolation and loneliness, but gradually gathers itself into a dance of defiance. It was first performed by McTier, Yuko Inoue, and Kathron Sturrock at Aberystwyth University on 29 November 1999. Originally for viola, double bass, and piano, it was arranged by Anthony Scelba for the Yardarm Trio complement of violin, double bass (solo tuning) and piano. |