JUBA: a lively dance accompanied by hand clapping. When the Schubert Club commissioned this piece for the London debut concert of cellist Janet Horvath, I thought of the juba, a dance originating in the culture of African-Americans. I wanted to compose a work which carried the rhythmic, improvisatory nature of American music but maintained the formal flow of Western European music. Juba is in rondo form. The rondo theme contains a rhythmic, foot stomping motive and a melodic motive. From these two themes the music for the episodes between rondo statements is taken. The cellist plays the role of the dancer, the piano plays the role of on-looker.

- Libby Larsen