Danse triste was one of my earliest compositions for carillon. It was written in 1978, during my student years at the University of Michigan, and premièred in a guest recital at Culver that same summer. (I did not become Culver carillonneur until two years later.) Written to address the need for music conceived for 42-bell carillons, the piece is constructed in ABA form. The "A" theme, heard at the beginning, is presented twice at the start, but in the second presentation, it is accompanied by a secondary theme in the pedal. The "B" section of the piece is built over this secondary theme, presented in longer note values, with brief hints of the "A" theme appearing at the end of each phrase. Finally, the "A" theme returns, now with a gentle figuration of eighth notes accompanying it. The performer is asked to play this piece in a sensitive, flexible, expressive manner, reflecting a tinge of sadness in mood. The tempo might range between 86 and 100 to the quarter note, depending on the instrument and the mood of the player at the time.

—John Gouwens