This symphonic poem is based on a visit to the ‘Blister Ball’ which takes place at the end of the last day of the Internationale Vierdaagse Afstansmarsen (International Four Days March) in Nijmegan. The ‘ball’ is arguably the biggest party in Europe with up to a million people thronging the streets of the town, and where there is a musical group of one type or another on virtually every street corner and in every bar. At one stage the composer could hear simultaneously the opening timpani theme being played nearby (albeit not on that instrument), and, in the distance, a tune in common time, and slightly further away a theme in waltz time – hence the title and form of ‘Danses Divergentes’.