World Premiere

Nataraja (2024) by Alan Theisen

“Nataraja was commissioned by and dedicated to the Solstice Reed Quintet. I am deeply grateful for their request and for championing my music. Nataraja is a representation of Shiva, a principal Hindu deity, as the Lord of the Dance or King of the Dance. "Nataraja" comes from the Sanskrit words Nata, meaning "act, drama, dance", and Raja, meaning "king" or "lord." In traditional iconography, Nataraja/Shiva is depicted in a cosmic dance that sets the rhythm of life and death. This dance occurs within a circular or cyclically closed arch of flames which symbolically represent the cosmic fire that in Hindu cosmology both creates and consumes everything. The fire also represents the evils, dangers, heat, warmth, light and joys of daily existence. My composition is cast in a single movement as a slow introduction, theme, five variations, and a coda. The music is simultaneously vigorous and sensual, drawing inspiration from Bartok's string quartets and neo soul.” - Alan Theisen

George Mason University - The 45th International Navy Band Saxophone Symposium January 2025