Debussy: Danse tarantelle styrienne played by Anna Buchenhorst in Gustav the III´s café of the Royal Opera House in Stockholm Sweden. February 2012. ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Official website of Anna Buchenhorst http://annabuchenhorst.com ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Tarantelle styrienne was written in 1890 after Debussy returned from Villa Medici, Italy, where he had spent over two years studying as part of the requirements of the Prix de Rome, which he received in 1883. It was after his close relationship ceased with Marie-Blanche Vasnier and around the time that he became a companion to Gabrielle Dupont (aka Gaby), that this and other piano works appeared. The title shifts the traditionally Italian tarantella to Austria (Styria) and the Slavic influences that affected the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The composition was paired with Ballade slave; their picturesque titles were shortened in 1903, and they became known, respectively, as Danse and Ballade. Both works recall the composer's travels to Russia with Nadezhda Filaretovna von Meck (early 1880s). Considered the king of his early works, Danse is a robust, colorful piece with a sparkling middle section that shows a slight influence of Watteau and is permeated by the images of the commedia dell'arte. Its whirling syncopation is felt in the sprightly alternation of 6/8 patterns (like a true tarantella, not too fast) with 3/4 waltz rhythm. It contained the seed of his later compositional style, especially in the translucent, delicate tones of the dominant portion. For example, Masques, another underrated piano works, appeared in 1904, recalling this composition. Debussy's works were rewritten by Maurice Ravel, who transcribed Danse for orchestra as an act of homage after the composer's death. Since its first publication, the original piano work has been widely recorded.