Music KS3 / GCSE: Danielle Peazer on 'Dance of the Knights' by Sergei Prokofiev

DANIELLE PEAZER:'This is dance music. Music to move to. But what kind of dance would it make you do?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Something happy?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Something elegant?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Or something just a little more frightening?'

DANIELLE PEAZER:Just listen to those brass instruments. I'm not hearing a dance party, more of a dance battle.

DANIELLE PEAZER:And I start breathing in time with the rhythm of those deep double bass notes. I want to join in with big, strong, striding steps.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'I know I'm not alone.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'But am I dancing with a friend… or an enemy?'

MUSIC: Dance Of TheKnights by Sergei Prokofiev

DANIELLE PEAZER:Can you hear that pulsating beat?It's back, I can't escape it.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'And on wrong step could mean disaster.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:You may have heard this exciting music on TV shows like The Apprentice. But did you know it was originally inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo And Juliet?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Romeo and Juliet are two teenagers who fall in love, but because their two families are bitter enemies Romeo and Juliet's love story is soon full of rivalry, poison and death.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:In the 1930s, a Russian composer called Sergei Prokofiev, decided that Shakespeare's play would make a great ballet.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Ballets use dance to tell a story on stage, so Prokofiev composed very dramatic music to help the ballet dancers show emotions like love, anger, jealousy, all through their physical movements.

DANIELLE PEAZER:This piece of music, called Dance Of The Knights, plays as Juliet's family dance at a magnificent party.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Listen to that double bass.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:'Imagine you're Romeo watching this dance. How does this music make you feel about Juliet's family?'

DANIELLE PEAZER:Can you hear the atmosphere suddenly change? Who do you think is dancing now?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'It's Juliet. What kind of music does her dance make you think of?'

DANIELLE PEAZER:'I love classical and dance music. The vast range of instruments really can explore so many different emotions without needing any lyrics.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:Music has played a massive role in my life, particularly classical music.

DANIELLE PEAZER:'As that's where I first found my love for dance.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:Music is a form of escapism, but also helps you relate to your true feelings, whether they be happy or sad.

MUSIC: Dance of theKnights' by Sergei Prokofiev

DANIELLE PEAZER:As the dance ends, Juliet's delicate and gentle music is playing. But wait, can you hear a familiar theme on the saxophone?

DANIELLE PEAZER:'It seems to be trying to take over.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:I think it's the sound of Juliet's family, sworn enemies of Romeo's family, it's the sound of danger.

DANIELLE PEAZER'Because remember, I said this isn't just a ballet about love, but also about death.'

DANIELLE PEAZER:Listen to the music. How do you think Romeo and Juliet's story will end?