"The phrase 'Dancing with the Devil' suggests that someone is flirting with sin, corruption, or disaster. It is therefore a common dance that everyone revels in from time to time, but to my knowledge no music had ever been written to accompany it. This work begins innocently enough, but gradually gains exuberance and intensity as the devil persists and the dance becomes increasingly wild."

--Composer Dana Wilson commenting on his work "Dancing with the Devil" for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano

Prolific composer Dana Wilson is the Charles A. Dana Professor of Music at Ithaca College. He has won many prestigious international composition prizes and received numerous grants and fellowships. His works, which are regularly performed throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, have been commissioned and performed by diverse ensembles including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Memphis Symphony, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Syracuse Symphony, and Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Listen to a clip from “Dancing with the Devil” by clicking on the link at right.