Illyrian Dance - ARI002 | Musica

Some of the thematic material for this suite of three dances is adapted from music originally written for the Royal Shakespeare Company. The precise location of Illyria was not important to Shakespeare; what excited him was the resonance of the word itself and the romance of all far away, make-believe places. Illyria is “Never Never Land”, and the composer was intrigued with the idea of inventing dances for such a place.

Illyrian Dances was commissioned by the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles with funds provided by West Midlands Arts and is dedicated to Timothy Reynish. The first performance took place on 26th September 1986 at Warwick University during the fifth annual BASBWE Conference.