The King is Dancing (1988)

An ensemble work of a cross-cultural nature (India/West), based on the phrygian mode, it was a direct result of my studies in Madras, India, in the 80's. The title has several meanings: firstly, I remembered a documentary about a Zulu chief who, after passing judgement in a tribal litigation, began to dance - enjoining the assembled members to do likewise. This image and idea resonated in me for some time, coming to represen 'the dignity of the sensual world'. Then, well after I titled the work, I realized that there are other references to 'a king who dances' - a) King David danced before the people, and was criticized in some circles for 'a lack of dignity'; and, b) very significantly for my journey in India, Lord Shiva, of Hindu mythology, dances an eternal dance of creation and destruction.

Moshe Denburg