RAVEL – Pièce en forme de Habanera..a new version for cellists!

..

https://johnstone-music.com/…/ravel-piece-en-forme…/…

FOR FOUR SOLO CELLISTS

..

Notes:

It is in essence a short song without words. Ravel took as a model the habanera, a slow and sensual Spanish dance. He was fascinated by the music of Spain and used it as the basis for a virtuoso exercise for the bass voice. He later he transcribed the work for cello and piano, a transcription that preserves all the virtuosity of the original, and of this various other arrangements have been made for practically any instrument.

It’s now presented as a cello quartet, a real quartet in all the chamber music realms; generally the first and second parts contain the more melodic importance but all parts contribute in equal importance. This is more suitable for advanced players. Although a score is offered one should know how previously ‘how it goes’ (hear varying performances!) before attempting to rehearse it in quartet – the sense of pulsation and rhythm are especially difficult to unify, but the music can show off the interpretative capabilities of high-level students and professionals!

This version is dedicated to the creative cellist and Professor Maria-Eugenia Maffi as a sign of gratitude for her continual support.

Enjoy the music !