Classical Music | Ensemble Music

Recorded on 03/13/2009, uploaded on 09/21/2010

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Suite from Les Indes Galantes            Jean-Philippe Rameau

Ouverture, Entree des 4 nations, Tambourin, Ait por les esclaves Africains, Musette, Rigaudon, Danse du grand Calumet

Jean Phillippe Rameau continued the tradition of the Lullian theatre piece, albeit with more Italianate character, especially in his use of quick, motoric rhythms and (in his vocal works) with much florid writing for the voice. The suite heard this evening is reflective of the concept of the "noble savage." Until the early twentieth century, for example, a popular expression among American pioneers was "the only good Indian is a dead Indian." After the frontier was conquered, however, a spirit of remorse gave rise to the epithet, "the noble red man." The ballet, "Les Indes Galantes" reflects a European worldview that is somewhat similar to the later American one. The exotic lands referred to in Rameau's work are Persia, Africa, Peru and North America. Whether the Native Americans of the time danced a rigau-don (a dance in duple time) before or after smoking the calumet, we do not know, nor do we suspect that the African Slaves sang a charming French Air. Nevertheless, the suite from "The Galant Indians" is reflective of the exotic as Europe saw it during the middle eighteenth century. We present it for your consideration and delectation this evening.           David Shrader