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Title	Russian Dance Suite (Russische Tanzsuite)
Article no.	4010252
Category	Concert/wind/brass band
Subcategory	Suite
Instrumentation	Ha (concert/wind band)
Format	PrtStm (full score and parts)
Country of publication	Germany (de)
Publisher *	Rundel Musikverlag GmbH
Publisher's article no. *	MVSR 2424
Year of publication	2004
Price	click here
Composer	Vlak, Kees
Difficulty level	4
Evaluation level of countries	D3 (German medium level)
Duration	6:31
Additional info/contents	In some of his works the composer Kees Vlak dealt with different peoples, their characters, and above all he considered their musical heritages. When he was invited by the symphonic wind band of the Minsk Conservatory of Music, it was this visit that inspired him to write his "Russian Dance Suite". He was struck by the love of the Slavic Byelorussians for their country as well as by their musical tradition. It is somewhat unusual that the folk instrument that is commonly in use there resembles very much the Hungarian cimbalom, and it is not the balaika, an instrument you would think of in the first place. Overture In the overture the composer expressed his feelings when he was welcomed in Byelorussia and his very first impressions. The Byelorussians appeared to be cosmopolitan, not whimsical at and they are possessed by a forward-pushing energy. The overture therefore is of a forward-pressing nature. Elegiac Dance In this movement the composer evokes the bellicose conflicts that took place on Byelorussian soil, and also the state of poverty in which large numbers of the Byelorussian population have to live in. Petrushka The composer explains this movement as follows: “The music is reminiscent of Russian history. The 'petrushkas' was as group of people that lived in Moscow and other large cities of the country. It usually consisted of dancers, acrobats, musicians, singers, comedians and frequently also of impostors. During the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible in the 16th century, many of the petrushkas were bereaved of all their goods and chattels.” Trepak The final movement of the suite is a trepak. This lively Russian dance in a way is similar to the Italian tarantella. The character of the Byelorussian people and their innate power are standing out prominently in a rapid sequence of unexpected musical ideas.
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Programme notes *: Russia's rich cultural diversity is reflected in various aspects, including its traditional dances. Two outstanding examples of this are Petrushka and Trepak, which are not only deeply rooted in history but also represent the living soul of Russian folklore. Petrushka is a distinctive Russian dance based on the fairy tale of the same name. The piece was first composed for ballet by Igor Stravinsky and choreographed by Michel Fokine. The dance tells the story of a living doll named Petrushka, who is created by a magician. The choreography reflects the awkward movement of a puppet, with the dancer attempting to portray the puppet's stiff nature. The lively movements and playful dynamics make Petrushka a fascinating dance that captures the imagination and humor of Russian culture. Trepak, also known as Russian Dance, is a lively and energetic performance often associated with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker." The dance is usually performed by male dancers and is characterized by quick jumps, turns and acrobatic elements. Trepak has its roots in traditional Russian folk festivals and celebrates the powerful movements and festivity of Russian culture. The characteristic jumps and turns give this dance a stirring dynamic that captivates the audience. Both dances, Petrushka and Trepak, reflect not only the technical brilliance of the Russian dance tradition, but also the country's deep cultural roots. Both Petrushka and Trepak use distinctive movements and expressions to convey the rich folklore and stories of Russia. These dances are not only artistic performances, but also serve as cultural symbols that embody the uniqueness and pride of Russian identity. Quelle/Source: musicainfo.net (KI) Information: Rundel Musikverlag Tags: Ancient Cultures Dances and songs

	Format
	Russian Dance Suite (Russische Tanzsuite) (concert/wind band), full score and parts
	Russian Dance Suite (Russische Tanzsuite) (concert/wind band), full score
	Olympus, audio CD

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