Nataraja

Nataraja for Flute (doubling on Piccolo) and piano by Jonathan Harvey

Nataraja was commissioned by the Nicholas Yonge Society. Nataraja is the name given to Shiva in his aspect as the four-armed dancer whose movements created and destroy matter throughout eternity. His image was the starting point of this piece, which was composed in 1983. The outer sections are characterised by dancing rhythms; they frame a middle section in which a more tranquil melody winds through static harmonies, though there is a suggestions of the flames which encircle the god in one more energetic moment.

Duration: 8:00