Soloist: Severus, Julia

Composer: Albanesi, Carlo

Piano Suite, Op. 60, "Ritmi di danze antiche"

Date of Concert: 2023

Playing Time: 00:11:39

Catalogue Number: GVF1417

UPC: 730099641715

Mr. Albanesi seems to have gone to Grieg for his inspiration both of melody and harmony, for, though, the Suite is Ritmi di danze antiche, it is only the rhythms that are ancient, the harmony is rather alarmingly modern...

In the 19th century, it was fashionable to draw on historical compositional forms and figures in order to reinterpret and revitalize them. Albanesi did this with his Suite, Op. 60.

The Gavotta is a lively dance with small leaps, which with Albanesi alternates between major and minor as well as staccato and legato and contains the Baroque figure of the so-called passus duriusculus.

The Sarabanda, a slow stride dance, is composed almost entirely in four voices and is characterized by its typical syncopation on the second beat and dotting on the first beat.

The Pavana, a slow processional dance, is written in 4/4 time in a minor key and is characterized by a typical pizzicato accompaniment under an archaic, mournful melody, partly in chords.

Albanesi's Siciliana, characterized by its dotted notes and 6/8 time, is designated Andantino melanconico, which emphasizes its minor-key character. The theme appears in various voices, the culmination at the end is underlined with a diminished chord.

The Rigodone (from the French rigoler - to joke, or from the Latin gaudium - joy) is marked by accentuated upbeats with leaps of fourths and fifths as well as a contrasting vocal middle section.