Seaside Dances After Couplets by E. E. Cummings (1989)
(Seaside Dances)

Seaside Dances after Couplets by E. E. Cummings, to give the piece its full title, is scored for string orchestra. Maggie and Milly and Molly and May/went down to the beach (to play one day). This wonderful piece is in six short movements, of which the outer ones are vivid seascapes framing movements reflecting episodes suggested by the poem. The resourceful string writing is beautifully assured and often calls Britten or Grace Williams to mind; and Seaside Dances is yet another example of superb string writing worthy of its celebrated predecessors by Bridge, Britten, Howells or Vaughan Williams. It should be heard more often for this wonderfully engaging work obviously deserves wider exposure. As far as I am concerned, this is the finest work in this release.