Johan S. Halvorsen

Molinasque - Grotesk dans

Molinasque is a grotesque dance full of speed and excitement. The fun almost bubbles over. "Grotesk" refers to the caricatured and exaggerated. Heavier instrumentation, darker timbre and rhythmic irregularity create the contrasts. There is speed, excitement, fun and emotions, unusual and more "expressive" in character. Here we meet Halvorsen at his very best.

Grotesk dans is an example of how Halvorsen combines formal elegance with romantic expression, and gives new life to the old dance through orchestral coloring, rhythmic variation and character portraits. The work can function both as light entertainment music and as a more serious orchestral work with deeper artistic qualities.