Until this is performed by an orchestra, the only recording is of the string quartet performance from 2013, available on the chamber version web page. The first movement has about 50% new material, but the other three movements are pretty close to the orchestral version.

II. Texas Two Step [5:15]  

III. Dance for the seriously ill   [6'] 

        In 2008, I wrote this quartet (then titled Ananda Dances) for my friend Eric Pritchard, first violinist of the Ciompi Quartet at Duke University. After the premiere performance of the string quartet in 2013, I was not satisfied with the first movement, and recomposed it in 2024, during the presidential election. This motivated me to give it a new title, Harris Waltz, in honor of Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, in their failed attempt to stop Donald Trump from having a second term as president. The second movement, Texas Two Step, pays at least nominal tribute to the state of my birth and home for many years. I can’t claim much authenticity in its two-stepness but at least it’s fairly up-tempo and in 4/4, and appropriate for a formal and rather crazed square dance. The third movement was originally written just before the birth of Aaron Pritchard, son of Eric and Laura; during the revisions of 2024, Aaron was quite sick and undergoing difficult treatments, thus the new title to this movement, Dance for the seriously ill. The last movement stems from the inspired fiddling and great musicianship of the Roma people, as well as barn dances.

           In 2024, I orchestrated it to make Symphony No. 4: American Dances. The instrumentation is winds in pairs (second flute doubles piccolo); four horns, two trumpets, timpani, and strings.

Cover photo; the composer at the YMCA, August 29, 2024.