Barbara's Maggot

Notes

1

Victor says "Barbara Ruth challenged me to write a dance for her one year when I was attending the New Haven Ball. I missed her deadline but eventually came up with this dance. There is a St. Barbara who is the patron saint of artillery. According to her legend, she was put to death by her father for converting to Christianity. He was struck by lightening on the way home from the execution. As a result, St. Barbara became the protectress from thunder and lightening. Early canoneers also got into the habit of saying a quick prayer to St. Barbara before firing their pieces, which is how she became the patron saint of artillery. Because of the legend, the obvious piece of music was the Minuet from Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks."