John McCabe

Two Scenes from Edward 2

Two pieces from the score of the full-length ballet Edward II. The ballet iteslf was commissioned by the Stuttgart Ballet, and completed in 1995. The first performance took place in Stuttgart in April 1995, and in the same year this arrangement for 2 Pianos of two scenes was commissioned by the Port Fairy Festival of Australia.
The first pieces represents one of the lighter moments of the ballet, and is based upon a set of dances at the French Court> The second piece is a reminder of the darker nature of the ballet as a whole, expressing the lust for power as the Barons opposed to Edward II unite in anger at his behaviour.