Who says the great classical masters are invariably somber and serious? Even the great J.S. Bach – despite his reams of sober sacred music – loved lively dance tunes, and often jazzed up works like his Brandenburg Concertos (tracks 7, 15) and Orchestral Suites (track 10) with them. Fellow Baroque master Handel also produced many a jaunty dance-tune – like the “Gigue” heard here (track 11) from his ever-popular Water Music. Let’s not leave the French Baroque out: Rameau’s gracefully perky ‘Tambourin’ (track 20) will make you glad we didn’t.
Classical-era composers were no slouches, either, when it came to high-energy music. As partial proof, we offer a cheery and charming movement from Francoeur’s Cello Sonata in E (track 19). We dare you not to tap your toes to Hummel’s fabulously frisky finale from the Trumpet Concerto in E (track 5). Beethoven?!? Indeed, even notoriously grumpy Ludwig had his lighter and more humorous side: dig the witty ‘Scherzo’ from his wonderfully jolly Septet (track 21). And, now that you’re awake, hold onto your hats as Mozart takes you on a hurtling, headlong ride with the incredibly brainy fugal finale to his incomparable “Jupiter” Symphony (track 22).
Few Romantic-era composers could top Bizet’s sprightly sounds – especially in this album’s version of the ‘Bolero’ movement from Shchedrin’s Carmen Ballet arrangement (track 1). The happy, high spirits of the prelude to Grieg’s Holberg Suite (track 12) are irresistibly infectious.
Despite all the high emotion and pathos of Russian composers, most of them could be bright and boisterous when the mood struck. Tchaikovsky could be as brisk and bouncy as any of them (though a bit more elegant), as in his ‘Grand Polonaise’ from Eugene Onegin (track 13). Prokofiev was uncharacteristically elegant as well in the otherwise brilliant romp of the finale to his bubbly Classical Symphony (track 2). There’s a bumptious, slightly goofy touch in much of Shostakovich’s faster music; you’ll notice it in the whirling ‘Spanish Dance’ from his Gadfly (track 4). Khachaturian’s ‘Mazurka,’ from his Masquerade Suite (track 8), follows suit – with its exuberant, pounding air. And hang on for dear life as Kabalevsky plays the clown while taking you on a precariously headlong mad dash with the ‘Comedians’ Galop’ from his suite, The Comedians (track 6).
Happy Hispanic flavor abounds in the cheery ‘Rocking Horse’ movement from Brazilian composer A.C. Gomes’ vivacious Sonata in D (track 17). You’ll want to get up and dance for sure when you hear the contagiously effervescent Latin strains of Milhaud’s ‘Brasiliera’ (even though he was a Frenchman), from his well-known Scaramouche Suite (track 3). Speaking of Frenchmen: saucy, playful Gallic flavors permeate the delightful ‘Ballet’ section of Debussy’s Petite Suite (track 18).
Finally, we can’t leave out the frequent vigor and sparkle of folk (or folk-influenced) music. And that’s just what we get in Tamarin’s busy and bustling ‘Tapestry’ (track 9). Then there’s the short and scintillating ‘Evening Dance at Aba,’ one of the Asian-flavored Pictures from Bashu: Six Folk Songs (track 14). And, finally, what could be more fun and folksy than a medley of sprightly ‘Irish jigs’ (track 16)?
Everybody loves a brash and bracing musical pick-me-up, whatever its nationality or cultural tradition may be. May this lovingly chosen collection from Delos help to get your day off to a better start, or restore your drooping spirits whenever the vagaries of life have you down in the dumps. Great music refreshes, stimulates and heals – in more ways than one.
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