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Camille Saint-Saëns (arr. Adrian Farmer): Wedding Cake Caprice-valse Op.76 (2017) [Printed Music]
£14.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
NMP1047
for two pianos
[original work for piano and string orchestra, arranged for two pianos by Adrian Farmer]
2 x 28-page A4 saddle-stitched scores
Duration: c.6 mins
ISMN: 979-0-708129-46-2
Saint-Saëns wrote the Wedding Cake, Caprice-valse Op. 76, in 1885 at the age of 50. It is scored for solo piano accompanied by a small string orchestra. A popular and attractive work it quickly appeared in the Durand catalogue in versions for 2-pianos, piano duet, and solo piano. However none of these arrangements are by Saint-Saëns himself. The work was done by A. Benfeld, the pseudonym of a well-known Parisian ophthalmologist, excellent pianist, and friend of the composer: he was also the dedicatee of Saint-Saëns Suite Algérienne, Op. 60. In these contemporary versions the one for piano duet effectively redistributes the solo and orchestral material between the players. But the version for 2-pianos keeps the solo part entirely in Piano I, leaving little of interest for Piano II to do. This seemed to me to be a wasted opportunity for some 2-piano fun, hence the present arrangement which keeps both players appropriately busy. The Cake Walk emerged from the slave plantations of the Southern United States. As a dance it was an extension of the late 19th century ‘Prize Walks’ in which a cake was awarded as first prize to the best couple. Some contemporary witnesses said that the movements of the dance were in direct and grotesque mockery of the parade dances popular at the Grand Balls of the plantation owners.
A PDF Version of this score is available upon request.
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk