Sheet Music: Orientale

TitleOrientale
from Kaleidoscope
Opus numberOp. 50, No. 9
ComposerCésar Cui (1835–1918)
InstrumentationFlute and Piano
KeyG minor
RangeC4–Bb5
Time signature6/8
Tempo69 BPM
Performance time1:35
Difficulty levelintermediate
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (144 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.3 MB)
Play-along accompanimentMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (1.3 MB)
Date added2010-10-23
Last updated2010-10-23
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Categories
Romantic

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Saturday 23 October 2010

Tune of the Day: Orientale by Cui

Arranged for Flute and Piano

César Antonovich Cui was a Russian army officer and a teacher of fortifications; of course, he was also a composer and music critic, and in this sideline he is known as a member of The Five, the group of Russian composers under the leadership of Mily Balakirev dedicated to the production of a specifically Russian type of music.

Like so much of Cui's music, the 24 miniatures that together make up his Kaleidoscope for violin and piano are now forgotten — with the exception of the famous “Orientale”, which has been a staple on violinists' and cellists' encore lists for a full century now. This 6/8 time Allegretto rides along on a tambourine rhythm set up by the soloist in the opening bars. The main tune is offered by the piano a few bars in, and later taken up “con morbidezza” (“with tenderness”) by the violin/cello/flute.

Thanks to Kathrine for suggesting this tune!