"Alicia Alonso" - a Dance for Piano (Barnabas Sharp)

A Dance for Piano inspired by the life and legacy of Cuban ballet dancer Alicia Alonso.
A flowing and uplifting melody with a swift accompaniment and arpeggiated chords and quick scales borrowing imagery from Alisa's "wavy black hair and grand manner" start off this piece before the tonic minor version of the melody creeps in as Alisa becomes bedridden from her operations due to a detached retina; forbidden to laugh, cry or turn her head.
Despite these setbacks, Alisa finds a way to return to dancing and becomes one of the most famous dancers in the world. This new theme is more restrained, with an accompaniment that stumbles between broken chords and arpeggios, the harmony becomes more inventive as the resolution is solid whilst open for exploration.
This piece was commissioned by a patron at the Tenterden Ballet Studios. The score is available on request.
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