Tanc Svervusz by Alexis Orfaly

This piece takes its inspiration from several places. One is the Gypsy music of countries such as Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey and Armenia. This piece is specifically more Hungarian because it uses the Hungarian scale, which is very clearly played out. This “gypsy” music often features two solo instruments playing in thirds, either violins or clarinets for example. Here xylophones have replaced these instruments. The other major inspiration for this piece comes from the legendary film composer Bernard Hermann and his overture to “North by Northwest”. Towards the end of the work more and more glissandi are heard. This intends to replicate the zither, which is often heard in gypsy music.