Composed in an "Old World" style, Peasant Dance attempts to capture the spirit, energy, and spontaneity of folkdance, a celebration of both life and death. This work calls for a cabasa, though if one is not available, maracas or a closed hi-hat could be used instead. The violas get to play a "snap" pizzicato which requires the player to pull the string in such a way that on its release, it will strike the fingerboard with a loud snapping sound.