Work

Programme Note

Fanitullen was written for the 2007 Michael Hill International Violin Competition. It was partly inspired by Scandinavian folk-fiddle playing and Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale. It is said that ‘fanitullen’ (the devil’s tune) was first played by the devil himself who appeared, hooves and all, at a village dance. He grabbed the fiddle and began playing a tune so wonderful that the gathered people continued dancing until they died from exhaustion – and then their corpses continued dancing until their skulls rolled out of the door and down the hill!

Commissioned:

Written as the competition piece for the 2007 Michael Hill Violin Competition as part of the composer's Auckland Philharmonia Residency 2005-2006.

• Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

Difficulty:

Advanced

Influences:

• Scandinavian
• Myth

Performance History

	03 Jun 2007	In the second Semi-Final Round of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition the 18 remaining competitiors each performed four pieces. Included was this solo work commissioned by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra from their 2006 Composer in Residence Ross Harris. Venue: Queenstown Memorial Hall
	01 Jun 2008	Performed by Bella Hristova and Michael Houstoun
	23 Jun 2008	Performed by Bella Hristova and Diedre Irons
	01 May 2010	Performed by Rebecca Struthers as part of a Stroma concert in St Andrews on the Terrace, Wellington
		Stroma