Tzigane

Tzigane is a rhapsody for violin and Luthéal, or for Violin and Orchestra, Maurice Ravel composed in 1924. Even if the name on French terms for Gypsies as " gitan, " tsigane "or" tzigane " goes back, it focuses more on the Hungarians assigned romantic gypsy cliché example of Liszt and Brahms as to real music of Sinti or Roma. Thus, no real Gypsy melodies used. the piece is one of the most demanding works of virtuoso violin literature.

The instrumentation

The composer wrote two versions. One chamber music occupation was followed by an orchestral version.

For violin and Luthéal

The original score of Tzigane contains instructions for the Registrar changes during execution. The chamber music version is now played mainly in the cast with violin and piano. The original cast specification for Violin and Luthéal has been so far little attention, however, because of the rarity of the accompanying instrument. Only in recent years, there are individual attempts to take the piece in the original cast. Daniel Hope, for example, could recreate a Luthéal for his recording. However, it differs tonally very different from the last existing original Luthéal in the Brussels Musical Instruments Museum ( MiM ).

The orchestral version

Ravel orchestrated the composition to an orchestral version soon after the completion of the version for violin and Luthéal.

The premieres

The composition was commissioned by the Hungarian violinist Jelly d' Arányi, a niece of Joseph Joachim. The premiere took place in London on 26 April 1924, the dedicatee accompanied by Henri Gil- Marchex instead. The premiere of the orchestral version was November 30, 1924 in Paris, with the Concerts Colonne, conducted by Gabriel Pierné.

Description

The composition consists of a single 10 minutes long sentence. The first part is entirely composed for violin solo and designed in the style of an improvisation on gypsy themes. In the second part it is the very timbre rich accompaniment begins by Luthéal or orchestra.