No. 34b

Richard Ayres describes the first movement of No. 34b, entitled ‘Waltz’ as ‘a secret waltz to be played in countries or at times when dancing is not permitted’. Fragments of melody pass between instruments in short, sporadic bursts interspersed by the sharp inhalations and exhalations of breath of the remaining ensemble members. The Chorale of the second movement is a homage to painter Alfred Wallis and sees the cello and marimba playing a series of tremolandos moving step by step which conjure up an evocative image of the Cornish coastline where Wallis lived and worked.