Grand Tarantelle
Encyclopedia
The Grand Tarantelle Op. 67, for piano
and orchestra
, by Louis Moreau Gottschalk
, is a tarantella
, composed around 1858. The composer transcribed the piece for many different combinations, including solo piano, piano trio
, violin
and piano, and two violins and piano. In addition, the piece has been arranged by others for many other combinations, including a transcrition by the composer's friend Nicolás Ruiz Espadero
for two pianos.
Perhaps the most well known the version is the reconstruction of the piano and orchestra version by Hershey Kay, which was later used the piece for a ballet
for George Balanchine
. More recently, Gottschalk's original orchestration has been found and recorded.
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
, by Louis Moreau Gottschalk
Louis Moreau Gottschalk
Louis Moreau Gottschalk was an American composer and pianist, best known as a virtuoso performer of his own romantic piano works...
, is a tarantella
Tarantella
The term tarantella groups a number of different southern Italian couple folk dances characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in 6/8 time , accompanied by tambourines. It is among the most recognized of traditional Italian music. The specific dance name varies with every region, for instance...
, composed around 1858. The composer transcribed the piece for many different combinations, including solo piano, piano trio
Piano trio
A piano trio is a group of piano and two other instruments, usually a violin and a cello, or a piece of music written for such a group. It is one of the most common forms found in classical chamber music...
, violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
and piano, and two violins and piano. In addition, the piece has been arranged by others for many other combinations, including a transcrition by the composer's friend Nicolás Ruiz Espadero
Nicolás Ruiz Espadero
Nicolás Ruiz Espadero was a Cuban pianist, composer, piano teacher and editor of the posthumous works of American composer-pianist Louis Moreau Gottschalk....
for two pianos.
Perhaps the most well known the version is the reconstruction of the piano and orchestra version by Hershey Kay, which was later used the piece for a ballet
Tarantella (ballet)
Tarantella is a ballet made by New York City Ballet co-founder and balletmaster George Balanchine to Louis Moreau Gottschalk's Grand Tarantelle for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 67 , reconstructed and orchestrated by Hershy Kay...
for George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
. More recently, Gottschalk's original orchestration has been found and recorded.