Number 3 of the Dances in Miniature for Alto Sax and String orchestra. A Hornpipe is an English dance form from the 16th Century (only associated with seafaring after 1740 however!)Like the example in Handel's Water Music, this is in a broad triple metre, at least some of the time, and characterised by its jaunty syncopations.

Hornpipe (Dances in Miniature No 3)

Number 2 of the Dances in Miniature for Alto Sax and string orchestra. A Berceuse is a lullaby, and here the gentle five-in-a-bar lilt might suggest the tender lulling to sleep of a child in a cradle.

Berceuse (Dances in Miniature No 2)

Number 1 of the Dances in Miniature for Alto Sax and string orchestra. An Intrada is an introduction, prelude or opening. often declamatory and striking in style and character, though here also maintaining some elegance and grace.

Intrada (Dances in Miniature No 1)

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles and to be the glory of thy people Israel. 

Gospel of St Luke. Nunc Dimittis.

Emmanuel (No 6 of Nativity Dances)

And they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby  lying in a manger.

The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Arise, and take the child and his mother; flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is to search for the child, that he might destroy him”

Gospels of St Luke and St Matthew

A Journeying (no 5 of Nativity Dances)

They made known what sayings had been told them about this child. And all who heard were in wonder at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart.”

"For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and Holy is his name."
Gospel of St Luke, and the Magnificat

Nativity (No 4 of Nativity Dances)

And there were shepherds abiding in the fields... and lo! The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid...

Herod, seeing that he had been tricked by the wise men, became angry, and he sent forth to kill all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region. 

Matthew

Pastorale (No 3 of Nativity Dances)

And behold, the star that they had seen rising went before them coming to rest over the place where the child lay.

Gospel of St Matthew

Star Rise (No 2 of Nativity Dances)

For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people. But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be sen upon thee. 

Isaiah

Advent (No 1 of Nativity Dances)

Composed in 2007, for my wife Cathy, in memory of her grandma Edith. Cathy plays the violin in this performance with me at the piano.

Nicholas Scott-Burt