Seven Country Dances

Richard Rodney Bennett's Seven Country Dances, arranged for Flute and Piano. Premiered by the oboist Nicholas Daniel and the Britten Sinfonia under Nicholas Cleobury's direction, this suite of seven dances takes its melodies from a 17th-century English fiddle-tune collection, Playford's Dancing Master. From celebratory to melancholy, Bennett's pieces weave new colour into ancient songs, reminiscent of the early 20th century folk song masters.