Nataraja (1983) by Jonathan Harvey
for flute and piano

Nataraja is the name given to Shiva in his aspect as the four-armed dancer whose movements create and destroy matter throughout eternity. His image was the starting point of this piece, which was composed in 1983. The outer sections are characterized by dancing rhythms; they frame a middle section in which a more tranquil melody winds through static harmonies, though there is a suggestion of the flames which encircle the god in one more energetic moment.