Tarentelle

Question 1

What is a tarentelle?

Answer 1

A fast Italian dance in compound time (usually 6/8 or 12/8). Typically features perpetual motion and are usually in minor keys with contrasting major episodes. Thought to have originated in Taranto where according to legend the frenzied movements could prevent a spiders bite from becoming fatal

Question 2

What does Op. mean?

Answer 2

Opus. A work or group of works, the opus number identifies the piece.

Question 3

What is the time signature of Tarentelle?

Answer 3

Compound duple time. Each bar contains six quavers grouped into 2 dotted crotchet beats.

Question 4

What the key of Tarentelle?

Answer 4

A minor

Question 5

What modulations are in Tarentelle?

Answer 5

The main modulation is C major in 17-21 and 25-29

Question 6

What is the form of Tarentelle?

Answer 6

Ternary or ABA with a coda. Constructed from 8 bar sections, most sections begin midway through the bar

Question 7

What does Vivo mean?

Answer 7

Lively and spirited

Question 8

What does > indicate?

Answer 8

An accent, which means emphasised

Question 9

What does ^ indicate?

Answer 9

Marcato, a strong accent

Question 10

What does senza pedale mean?

Answer 10

Without pedal

Question 11

What is a fermata?

Answer 11

A pause, held for longer than the written value

Question 12

What are stylistic characteristics of this piece?

Answer 12

• energetic character
• fairly wide dynamic range
• colourful harmonies, 7th chords and drone style pedal points
• simple ABA form
• late romantic is passionate and expressive

Question 13

Who composed Tarentelle?

Answer 13

Cécile Chaminade, a French pianist and composer from the late romantic period.

Question 14

Where and when was the composer of Tarentelle born and died?

Answer 14

Born in Paris 1857, died in Monte Carlo in 1944

Question 15

Background info on composer of Tarentelle?

Answer 15

Studied music privately, gave concert recitals from the age of 18 in France, then later in England and the US

Question 16

What is the composer of Tarentelle remembered for?

Answer 16

Cécile Chaminade is mostly remembered for her piano music and songs such as a piano trio, Conzertstuck for piano and orchestra, Concertino for full ite and orchestra and Les Amazons for chorus and orchestra. She wrote more than 200 works for solo piano including Etudes de concert and Scafe dance.

Question 17

Where is Tarentelle from?

Answer 17

Album des enfants (children’s album), Op 123, published in 1906. Contains 12 pieces

Question 18

Tarentelle A 1

Answer 18

1-9 Main theme, A minor, consisting of 2 4 bar phrases with a continuous quaver pulse divided between the hands. There is a momentary hint of C major in bars 6-7 but no modulation yet. Ends with a V-i cadence in A minor in b. 8-9

9-17 Main theme is repeated. First phrase is slightly varied with the melody an octave higher. The second phrase is unchanged except the final note is a little longer

Question 19

Tarentelle B

Answer 19

17-25 Episode, contrasting in rhythm and texture to the main theme. This passage begins in C major using strongly accented chords. The answering phrase b.21-25 returns to A minor in 22-23 then modulates to G major in 23-25 with quavers returning in the left hand

25 - 33 The episode theme is repeated with variations. First phases b.25-29 is slightly altered in harmony and chord voicing. The second phrase b.29-33 begins with a new sequence then prepares for the return to A minor

Question 20

Tarentelle A 2

Answer 20

33 - 49 Main theme, A minor, very similar to b.1-17 but beginning softer and altered from b.45

50-52 Coda, loudly prolonging chord I of A minor.