Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 11/06/2007, uploaded on 01/26/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Today's program is inspired by dance and movement. 

I have drawn ropes from bell tower to bell tower; garlands from window to window, golden chains from star to star, and I dance.  -  Arthur Rimbaud

Sarabande and Gigue with variations                                       Jean-Phillipe Rameau

These two dances come from the Suite in a-minor (1728). I have chosen the lovely Sarabande and the Gavotte with its six "doubles" or variations, which was transcribed for orchestra by Otto Klemperer.  The Sarabande is a slow dance originally from Spain and was introduced to the French court in the17^th century. It is built on 3 beats, starting on the first and lingering on the 2^nd; it is grave and solemn in character.

The Gavotte is a French folk dance, in moderate tempo, appearing for the first time in courtly circles in the 17^th century.      Mara Dobresco

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.