Earth Drum Dance

SKU: CF.YPS230F

ISBN 9781491158159. UPC: 680160916757. 9 x 12 inches.

The Okefenokee Swamp is slated as one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia. The name has two different meanings: first being bubbling waters, and the second meaning Land of Trembling Earth, so named because the peat bog (land) moves when you walk on it, because it is actually floating on water. Although the Oconi are the earliest known inhabitants, this piece is written to honor the Chehaw Indians who gave the swamp its name. The beginning of the piece depicts the grandeur of the over 438,000 acre swamp (one of the five largest swamps in the world). The middle section has a flute solo that depicts the primitive life of the early inhabitants. For a more authentic portrayal, the use of a recorder, especially an alto recorder should be used. The piece ends with a spirited dance, beginning with the thunderous roll of the timpani and bass drums.
The Okefenokee Swamp is slated as one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia. The name has two different meanings: first being bubbling waters, and the second meaning Land of Trembling Earth, so named because the peat bog (land) moves when you walk on it, because it is actually floating on water. Although the Oconi are the earliest known inhabitants, this piece is written to honor the Chehaw Indians who gave the swamp its name. The beginning of the piece depicts the grandeur of the over 438,000 acre swamp (one of the five largest swamps in the world). The middle section has a flute solo that depicts the primitive life of the early inhabitants. For a more authentic portrayal, the use of a recorder, especially an alto recorder should be used. The piece ends with a spirited dance, beginning with the thunderous roll of the timpaniand bass drums.

SKU: CF.CPS264F

ISBN 9781491161746. UPC: 680160920433.

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. 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. Patsh 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. Since 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.
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.  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. Patsh 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. Since 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.

SKU: GI.G-CD-871