This is music associated with the lighter side of serious music making and is a lively, energetic piece with a fast tempo and instantly recognisable melody. This is a genuine performance piece to be enjoyed by both instrumentalists and audiences alike. It is very evident that Jacques Offenbach had a real gift and sense of melody and fun in making music. Not necessarily favoured by the music critics of the time, much of his music has nevertheless remained in the repertoire. Nietzsche & Zola also commented on his operettas for those who want to discover more about the ambivalence of his status. Clarinettists will need to pay attention to the range of articulations and dynamics needed in a performance. Repeat signs are in place in the score whilst the realisation plays back at 120 quarter note (crotchet) beats in the introductory first section and 132 quarter (crotchet) note beats in the second. Clarinet accompaniments are also in place enabling clarinettists to enjoy an ensemble experience as part of practice routines. There is a 4 bar click track at the beginning of each accompaniment sounding on the woodblock. If a clicks are required during the silent sections please advise the PlentyMusic office and these will be added. Repeats are in place and should be played to maintain the symmetry and shape of the piece. As unmistakenly music intended for dancing there is a regular phrase structure in the second section and repetition is a strong feature of the composing process. There is an opening 23 bar section marked Allegro succeeded by a faster section which has an A B C A A + Coda structure with a 2 bar link between sections B & C. “Le Galop” is often referred to as the “Can-Can” and was first performed in 1858 causing a bit of a stir because of its risqué nature though more in the visual rather than musical sense. Le Galop is from Act 2 of Offenbach’s operetta “Orpheus in the Underworld.” The can-can dance become associated with the Parisian cabarets of the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergère. The easily remembered tune became associated with the high kicking female can-can dancers of the day. Jacques Offenbach (1819 – 1880) whilst German born is considered to be a French composer known for the lighter side of opera referred to as operetta. Many of his works are still staged and he was an important influence on later composers of the genre. In his early days he earned his living as a cellist & conductor before producing his first full length operetta “Orpheus in the Underworld” in 1858. His final work “The Tales of Hoffmann” was incomplete at the time of his death.
