for my friend Jane Blatt, on the occasion of her 70th birthday

14 dances for piano quintet, from the ballet commissioned by Finnish National Ballet with choreography by David Bintley, which was premiered in Helsinki in December 2023.

Scoring:

Violin 1

Violin 2

Viola

Cello

Piano

Volume 1: Act I

Overture: Christmas Eve
Spirit Dance
Storybooks
Fezziwig’s Party
Belle’s Serenade
Tipsy
Sad Dance

Volume 2: Act II

Turkey Waltz and Hornpipe
Fred and Arabella’s Dance
Polka
Workhouse and Ghost Dance
Tiny Tim
Danse Macabre
Christmas Day

These dances were commissioned by my friend Jane, an accomplished amateur viola player. Each dance lasts between 2 and 5 minutes, and the complete set would last approximately 50 minutes. They may be performed separately or in groups. The whole set may be performed in conjunction with an abridged reading of Dickens’ novella, as a complete concert with interval.

The premiere took place on November 30th 2025 in this form, with Peter Thomson (narrator) and Ensemble V, at Seaford Baptist Church.

Sally Beamish 2025

Not found

A Book of Seasons

for solo violin and ensemble

1995

A Cage of Doves

for orchestra

2007

A Christmas Carol

dances for piano quintet

2025

A Christmas Carol

ballet

2023

A Farewell

for 6 violas

2018

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