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The rousing nature of Celtic music was the basis for this piece which deals with a theme of aggressive competition. It is the final section of a composition commissioned for dance by Michael Parmenter.

• David Downes: Saltwater  Year: 1993 

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In this, the opening sequence of another dance work commissioned by Michael Parmenter, a man and a woman slowly emerge from within a muddy riverbank.

• David Downes: Saltwater  Year: 1993 

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• Felicity Williams: The Quangle Wangle  Year: 1992 

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• Whitehead: Bride of Fortune; facsimile 

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• Whitehead: Bride of Fortune; facsimile 

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A moonlit scene on a lonely beach with long slow waves rising and receding. Gradually they become more intense; their inward and outward criss-crossing revealing a dangerous undertow. The music reaches a climax, and, certain motives representing two of the principal dancers are heard. The mysterious ‘chorus’ of sirens, of Part 1, is briefly heard, and the principal Siren appears moving front stage while the ‘chorus’ recedes. The principal male dancer now rises, and in a dream, and is drawn towards her. She leads him closer to the sea and they dance to the ‘sea’ and ‘siren’ music. As he tries to hold her, she again and again is allusive, and taunts him deeper and deeper until the sea engulfs him. He drowned and thrown back by the waves onto the beach.

While living in retirement in Oakura I was given a synopsis by Val Deakin to write a ballet for her Dance Theatre in New Plymouth. She choreographed the second movement only and it was performed in New Plymouth with an ad hoc orchestra in 1989, myself conducting.

Hugh Dixon, 22 November 2009

• Dixon: Undertow at Oakura; computer-set 

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• APO play Dixon and Lodge 

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