Presents
Charles Dancla
Three Pieces for 4 Violins, Op.178
Charles Dancla (1817-1907) was born in the French town of Bagneres de Bagorre. He was recognized as a child prodegy and was sent to the Paris Conservatory where he studied violin with Pierre Baillot and composition with Fromental Halevy. He pursed a career as performer, composer and teacher, serving for decades as the concertmaster of the Paris Opera Orchestra and as a Professor of Violin at the Paris Conservatory. He was a prolific composer and was especially interested in chamber music, writing at least sixteen string quartets, several piano trios and many other chamber works.
As a Professor of Violin, he found it advantageous to write his own material for his many students and he created dozens of works for violin solo, violin and piano and multiple violins. But while these were used in his classes, the intention was also that these pieces could be used in concert. Among these many works is his Op.178, Three Pieces for four violins composed in 1890. It might well be subtitled The Journeyl as each of the three pieces was given a title. The opening movement, Departure, Moderato maestoso is majestic and stately with no hint of any sadness. The middle movement, Arrival, Moderato maestoso e cantabile is pleasant but restrained. The finale, The Return, Moderato risoluto, is a march in a somewhat triumphant vein.
This is a work which can be warmly recommended to amateurs of modest technical accomplishments and students as it provides no technical difficulties for the average player and will. sound well in concert.
Parts: $19.95
