Bohemian Dances was commissioned by the University of St Thomas Symphonic Wind Ensemble, St Paul, Minnesota, who gave the first performance under the direction of Dr. Matthew George on May 6th 2005.
Guy Woolfenden writes: “One of my favourite Shakespeare plays is The Winter’s Tale, and I have written music for three completely different productions during my time as Head of Music to the Royal Shakespeare Company. One was for an excellent small-scale touring production and it is from this source that the basic themes for Bohemian Dances have emerged. Act IV of the play is set in the kingdom of Bohemia – hence the title of the work.”
The three movements are: Shepherds and Shepherdesses, Florizel and Perdita, Dance of the Satyrs.
