Les Sauvages

Description

Les Sauvages (The Savages), published in 1728, is said to have been inspired by Native American dancers who performed in Paris, giving the piece its exotic character. Rameau later reused this music in a scene of his opéra-ballet Les Indes galantes, so it has been loved both as a keyboard piece and as stage music.

It is in G minor and 2/2. A rhythmic theme repeats throughout in a rondo-like design, returning again and again. Its strong beat and wide melodic leaps are its signature, reflecting the fascination with foreign cultures common in the France of the time. At about two minutes forty seconds and some 786 notes, it is compact.

Rated intermediate, its bass goes slightly below a 61-key keyboard as written, but an octave shift fits every note on 61 keys. It calls for clear rhythmic articulation and lively melodic leaps. Since the leaps tend to make the beat late, slow the playback and practise moving the hand ahead of time; check each hand's motion with the hand colours, then work the theme through with the A-B loop until it holds steady.

A broad collection of standalone piano pieces not belonging to any specific set, offering hundreds of varied character pieces to explore and compare.