Fort Smith Symphony; John Jeter - Louis Wayne Ballard: The Four Moons; Devil's Promenade; Fantasy Aborigine No. 3 Kokopelli; Scenes from Indian Life

Louis Wayne Ballard - also known as Honganozhe, which means Stands with Eagles in the Quapaw language - was the first indigenous North American composer of art music, and his extensive knowledge of the music, dance and mythology of this culture informed his compositions. Ballard's style was eclectic, embracing tonal and twelve-tone elements, and the selected pieces presented here reflect the unique variety of his achievement. This album of world premiere recordings features his third ballet, The Four Moons, which embodies a rich cache of classic dances, and the Fantasy Aborigine No. 3 Kokopelli with its battery of unique percussive instruments.