Tuesday 8 June 2021
Tune of the Day: Danse des Sauvages
arranged for flute and piano
The Danse des sauvages is arguably the most famous piece from Jean-Philippe Rameau's 1735 opera Les Indes galantes (“The Amorous Indies”). It is part of the fourth and final act, “Les Sauvages” (“The Savages”), which is set in North America and was inspired by Native American music. In particular, Rameau claimed to have based this piece, whose original title is “Danse du grand calumet de la paix” (“Dance of the grand peace pipe”), on the dances performed by two Native Americans from Louisiana, which he witnessed in Paris in 1725.
Thanks to Marian for suggesting this piece!