Composer

:

Donald Grantham

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1999

Average_duration

:

9:37

J'ai été au bal is a composition by American composer Donald Grantham. It was composed in 1996 and premiered on March 1, 1997, by the University of Texas Wind Ensemble, conducted by Jerry Junkin. The piece is a tribute to the Cajun and Creole music of Louisiana, particularly the music played at the traditional Cajun dance parties known as "fais do-dos." J'ai été au bal is a three-movement work that captures the spirit and energy of Cajun and Creole music. The first movement, "J'ai été au bal," is a lively and rhythmic dance tune that features the entire ensemble. The second movement, "La Belle et le Capitaine," is a slower, more lyrical piece that features a solo trumpet and a solo clarinet. The third movement, "Les Veuves de la Coulee," is a fast and furious dance tune that features the entire ensemble once again. The characteristics of J'ai été au bal are rooted in the traditional music of Louisiana. The piece features a variety of Cajun and Creole rhythms, including the two-step, waltz, and jitterbug. The use of syncopation and off-beat accents gives the music a lively and energetic feel. The piece also features a variety of instrumental techniques, including glissandos, trills, and flutter-tonguing, which add to the overall texture and color of the music. Overall, J'ai été au bal is a vibrant and exciting tribute to the music of Louisiana. Its use of traditional rhythms and instrumental techniques captures the spirit and energy of Cajun and Creole music, making it a popular choice for wind ensembles and concert bands.

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