Jean-François Michel

Preludio - Siciliana - Galop

This concertante, six-minute, moderately difficult piece in three movements (attacca) requires serious preparation, musically, rhythmically and also in terms of concentration. Preludio: In the middle section, between a lively introduction and a short final repetition in 3/2 time, the composer has inserted a lyrical sequence with ''singing'' trombone and swaying piano accompaniment. Siciliano: This dance, invented by Sicilian shepherds, in bouncing 6/8 time, was spread throughout Europe by court musicians in the 18th century and has inspired many composers ever since. Galop: This playful folk dance in 2/4 time originally comes from Bavaria or Hungary and caused a sensation throughout Europe in the mid-19th century. Usually as the final dance of a quadrille (series of dance figures). Famous composers composed galops or integrated them into larger works. Jean-François Michel ends his suite with verve, more in the Russian style (à la Shostakovich) than in a frivolous Viennese or Parisian (French-cancan) style.