Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 07/08/2013, uploaded on 07/08/2013

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

I.    Danza del viejo boyero (“Dance of the Old Herdsman”)
II.   Danza de la moza donosa (“Dance of the Beautiful Maiden”)
III.  Danza del gaucho matrero (“Dance of the Arrogant Cowboy”)

Written in 1937, this work is a set of three dances. The first piece, Danza del viejo boyero, immediately strikes the ear as being odd. The reason is as simple as it is strange: the left hand plays only black notes, while the right plays only white notes. Despite the seemingly unavoidable cacophony of that arrangement, Ginastera manages to frame a simple and charming melody through the use of rhythm and texture. Danza de la moza donosa is a gentle dance in 6/8 time. With directions such as furiosamente (“furiously”), violente (“violent”), and salvaggio (“wild”), Ginastera left no doubt as to how the third dance, Danza del gaucho matrero, should be performed.        Tania Stavreva

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.