Describe the music of ONE of the prescribed dance works you studied this year (listed above) - NSC Dance Studies - Question 8 - 2017 - Paper 1

The music for Ghost Dances was composed by Inti-Illimani, a renowned Chilean folk music group.

The music used in Ghost Dances is traditional Chilean folk music, which incorporates various South American instruments and styles.

The music enhances the dance work in several profound ways:

1. The wind sounds at the beginning create an eerie atmosphere, symbolizing the feeling of being in a cave, which effectively sets the tone for the performance.

2. The folk music played with traditional South American instruments not only supports the folk style of dance movements but also tells the poignant story of the people being depicted on stage.

3. Throughout the performance, the songs convey the haunting feelings of suffering, particularly through movements that reflect grief, such as the portrayal of the woman in the red dress.

4. At moments representing death, the silence in the music enhances the atmosphere and underscores the sadness of these moments, inviting the audience to fully engage with the emotional impact of the performance.