Composer

:

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1904

Publication Date

:

1904

Average_duration

:

16:41

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's 'African Dances (4), Op. 58' is a suite of four movements that was composed in 1899. The piece was premiered in the same year at the Crystal Palace in London, where it was received with great enthusiasm. The suite is a tribute to the music and dance of Africa, which Coleridge-Taylor had become fascinated with after attending a concert of African music in London. The first movement, titled "Danse Nègre," is a lively and rhythmic dance that features syncopated rhythms and a driving beat. The melody is based on a traditional African tune, which Coleridge-Taylor has arranged for orchestra. The movement is characterized by its energetic and joyful mood, which captures the spirit of African dance. The second movement, "Bamboula," is a slower and more contemplative dance that features a haunting melody played by the strings. The movement is based on a traditional African dance that was performed during funerals, and it has a mournful and melancholic quality. The movement is notable for its use of African percussion instruments, which add to the exotic and mysterious atmosphere. The third movement, "Cakewalk," is a lively and playful dance that was popular in the United States during the late 19th century. The movement features a catchy melody played by the woodwinds, and it has a light and humorous mood. The movement is characterized by its syncopated rhythms and its use of call-and-response patterns, which are typical of African-American music. The final movement, "Banjo Dance," is a fast and energetic dance that features a virtuosic solo for the banjo. The movement is based on a traditional African-American tune, which Coleridge-Taylor has arranged for orchestra. The movement is characterized by its driving rhythm and its use of syncopation, which give it a lively and exciting mood. Overall, 'African Dances (4), Op. 58' is a vibrant and colorful suite that showcases Coleridge-Taylor's fascination with African music and dance. The suite is notable for its use of African rhythms and melodies, which give it a unique and exotic flavor. The suite is also notable for its use of orchestration, which is skillfully crafted to capture the spirit of African music.

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