Variations on a Neapolitan Theme
("Cicerenella")
Steven L. Rosenhaus
Variations on a Neapolitan Theme ("Cicerenella") was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, LCDR Kenneth Collins, Director. The work was premiered at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples, …
Read MoreConcert Band Score & Parts
Pepper ID: 11624860Supplier ID: PCBT1001
Concert Band Score & Parts
Pepper ID: 11624860ESupplier ID: PCBT1001
Conductor Score
Pepper ID: 11625632Supplier ID: PCBT1001s
Conductor Score
Pepper ID: 11625632ESupplier ID: PCBT1001s
Variations on a Neapolitan Theme ("Cicerenella") was commissioned by, and is dedicated to, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band, LCDR Kenneth Collins, Director. The work was premiered at the San Pietro a Majella Conservatory in Naples, Italy, with the composer conducting. The theme is "Cicerenella," a well-known tarantella a traditional dance in 6/8 time from the southern portion of Italy and Naples in particular. Writing variations is a fascinating challenge for any composer; how do you use someone else's ideas while still being creative and "original," all the while keeping the listener engaged and without ever "losing the tune"? The structure of the Variations is straightforward: an introduction is followed by the tune in relatively unadorned fashion. Six variations are next, followed by an extended coda. The variations play with instrumentation as well as melodic and harmonic elaborations, Variations 4 through 6 even reference specific composers (Ravel for one) and/or musical styles ("big band," "Slavonic dances"). The coda recalls the introductory material and the original tune.