 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-05-07 22:25
I've checked the Klarinet archives and my music dictionaries and still am not sure what is meant by Alla Polacca in relation to 18th-early 19th century works. I am working on a Partita by Joseph Weigl called "i spagnoli nell'isola Cristina," of which the last movement is a polacca in 3/4 time. About what speed should this ideally be played? The Oxford dictionary of music by Percy Scholes says a Polacca is strongly syncopated. But where? If on the first beat, what differentiates it from a waltz?
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Author: Keil
Date: 2001-05-08 02:46
A polacca is just i believe italian for Polka! it's to be dance like!! If you've ever played Weber's 2nd 3rd movt. the Polacca it characterizes your dictionaries assessment of a polacca having strong syncopation! Bascially the Polka is the national dance of Poland, i would play your piece in a dance like/ joking manner. Especially if it says scherzando...
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-05-08 06:19
I think in means in the Polish manner, of which there are several dances from that era that are Polish, which are generally considered subcategories of Mazurkas. They are all in three, so if the piece is in three it is not a polka!!
Generally mazurkas are similar in tempo to moderate speed waltzs, except beats one and two are strong, rather than waltzs um pah pah.
The Kuwjahvicak is slow, the Oberick is very quick, in one. Chopin wrote Mazurkas as well as waltzes. I had played a guitar piece by Alexander Tansman (Polish composer) called Alla Pollaca, I took it to be a Mazurka in tempo.
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Author: joevacc
Date: 2001-05-09 00:49
Alla- To the, at the, in the manner of.
Polacca (italian) A national polish dance, in simple triplet time and of moderate speed; it should perhaps, more properly be described as a stately ceremonial procession rather than a dance, and probably originated among the aristocracy in the 16th century. Certain rhythms are characteristic, such as the frequent division of the first beat of the measure, etc. Many composers, included Bach, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert, have written polonaises; Chopin's 13 examples, in which he found an outlet for his patriotic feeling, are outstanding.
(The Concise Oxford Dictionary Of Music)
Best,
jv
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Author: Arnold the basset hornist
Date: 2001-05-09 05:40
Hm..,
last movement (often quite fast), sequences of 1/16 in the third instrument part (the 'bass' part),
let's try it at 126 quarters per minute (perhaps up to 144).
Looking forwart to meet you,
Arnold (the basset hornist)
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-05-09 19:28
Arnold -
126 is *way* too fast for the finale of the Weber Concerto # 2, and the sextuplet 16ths at the end at 144 would be too fast even to hear, let alone to play.
I've found that 100 is exactly right for the Weber. The important thing is that it's a *dance* -- not a race. The word "polacca" tells you so. The first movement is "big." The finale has to be jaunty and light. Far too many performances are grim, with a furrowed brow. It needs smiles, not frowns. You have plenty of chance to dazzle them with your fingerwork at the end. Until then, you dance.
Ken Shaw
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