Veitstanz Nr. 1

Description

Violin 1, Violin 2 — The term "St. Vitus's Dance" can be used both as a medical term for a neurological disorder and for an ancient form of dancing ("Chorea") from the Middle Ages. The medieval "dancing mania" in turn is linked to the hereditary disease "Huntington's Chorea": People danced until they would froth at the mouth and break down from exhaustion. St. Vitus was said to be the saint to turn to in these cases. The details of a disease were however not the composer's inspiration for this composition; in fact he was curious about the concept of dances that "never stop to catch their breath" and captivate the listner with their unrelenting movement!