Composer

:

Claude-Bénigne Balbastre

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Gavotte

Average_duration

:

4:46

Claude-Bénigne Balbastre was a French composer, harpsichordist, and organist who lived from 1724 to 1799. He was known for his keyboard transcriptions of popular operas and ballets of his time. One of his most famous transcriptions is the "Transcription for keyboard of Mondville's Titon et L'Aurore: 1st and 2nd Gavottes B." The original work, "Titon et L'Aurore," was an opera-ballet composed by Jean-Joseph Cassanéa de Mondonville in 1753. The opera-ballet was a popular genre in France during the 18th century, combining elements of both opera and ballet. "Titon et L'Aurore" tells the story of the love between the shepherd Titon and the goddess of dawn, Aurore. Balbastre's transcription of the 1st and 2nd Gavottes B from "Titon et L'Aurore" was composed in the late 18th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been composed sometime between 1770 and 1780. The transcription was written for solo keyboard, most likely for the harpsichord or the fortepiano. The "Transcription for keyboard of Mondville's Titon et L'Aurore: 1st and 2nd Gavottes B" consists of two movements, both of which are gavottes. The gavotte was a popular dance form in France during the 18th century, characterized by its moderate tempo and binary form. The first gavotte is in the key of G major and the second gavotte is in the key of D major. Balbastre's transcription of the gavottes from "Titon et L'Aurore" is characterized by its virtuosic keyboard writing and its use of ornamentation. The transcription features fast runs, trills, and other embellishments that showcase the performer's technical abilities. The use of ornamentation was a common feature of keyboard music during the 18th century, and Balbastre's transcription is no exception. Overall, Balbastre's "Transcription for keyboard of Mondville's Titon et L'Aurore: 1st and 2nd Gavottes B" is a fine example of the keyboard transcriptions that were popular in France during the 18th century. The transcription showcases Balbastre's skill as a keyboardist and his ability to adapt popular music for the keyboard.

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