Tropanka and Patsh Tantz

Description

Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Clarinet in Bb 1, Clarinet in Bb 2, Clarinet in Bb 3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Percussion 1, Triangle, Ride Cymbal, Percussion 2, Tambourine, Tom-tom, Percussion 3, Wood Block, Bass Drum — Some of the first music I remember hearing as a child was folk dance music from around the world. My parents were avid folk dancers, and they used to host weekly folk dance evenings in our basement.xa0 Some nights, when I was supposed to be in bed, I would stand with my ear to the door, listening to this fascinating music that drifted up the stairs. I didn’t know what each piece was, but the melodies have stayed with me. Tropanka is one of those tunes. Tropanka (pronounced “tro-PAHN-kuh”) is a folk dance from Bulgaria, and the title means “stomping dance”. One can hear two repeated notes at the end of each phrase – this is where the dancers stomp.xa0Patsh Tantz (pronounced “PAHTSH tahnts”) is a classic example of Klezmer, which is East European Jewish folk music. The title is Yiddish for “clapping dance”, and all the players get the chance to clap at certain points in their individual part. Klezmer music is often quite exciting, and this arrangement includes the characteristic accelerando, building excitement as the piece drives to the end.Both movements should be played rhythmically, and as it is folk music that would be danced to by untrained dancers, often wearing boots or other flat-soled shoes, adding weight to many of the downbeats will help bring out the “earthy” character of the music.xa0Since my parents met while folk dancing, I made these arrangements (originally in a version for string quartet) as a gift in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. This two-movement work is sure to be a hit at your next concert! The first movement, Tropanka (pronounced “tro-PAHN-kuh”), translates as "stomping dance" and originated in Bulgaria. One can hear two repeated notes at the end of each phrase – this is where the dancers stomp! The second movement, Patsh Tantz (pronounced “PAHTSH tahnts”) is a classic example of Klezmer, or Eastern European Jewish folk music. The title of this movement is Yiddish for “clapping dance”, and all the players get the chance to clap at certain points in their individual parts. Both movements should be played rhythmically; adding weight to many of the downbeats will help bring out the “earthy” character of the music.

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