Heavy metal orchestral music

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Pretty Maidens Slam Dancing

Slam dancing or moshing as it is commonly known, is an angry dance usually found in the sweaty pits of a heavy metal concert. During, or even before the performance, a group of people gather at the foot of the stage where they commence shoving, hitting, jumping on top of each other, and passing the smaller of the moshers over each other’s heads, etc. this is called the pit, where the slammers scream to Music that is played at greater volume than one can imagine.

Loudness usually brings out this type of rage from people; the locked up scream within all of us that in normal, quiet situations is heavily concealed. During such loudness though, the chains are broken, and pure chaos triumphs within us.

At a concert in Paris in 1913, the first occurrence of this type was seen during a premier of a piece by Igor Stravinsky. The audience at this performance demonstrated similar rage. In fact, the hall where the Rite of Spring was first heard could be considered the first pit of the 20th century.

Gene Pritsker

The premiere performance of Pretty Maidens Slam Dancing took place on March 25, 1994 at John C. Borden Auditorium in Manhattan School of Music. It was performed by the Manhattan Composers’ Orchestra With Glen Cortese conducting.