Topic: Tarantella - Finnish composer
Tarantella - Erik ”Erkki” Melartin, Finnish composer
Because I think you have not heard of this composer, I have this info from Wikipedia:
Erik ”Erkki” Melartin (7.2 1875 - 14.2 1937) Finnish composer
Melartin studied theory and composition at the Helsinki Institute of Music in 1892-99 and was later a student of Robert Fuchs in Vienna. Returning to his homeland, Melartin worked as a teacher at the music institute and conductor at the orchestra in Viborg. From 1911 he was director of the Helsinki Music Institute. Melartin was a very productive composer. He has written songs and piano pieces as well as several symphonic poems and major orchestral works. He was primarily a poet. He started in particular on the Finnish folk song, which he sometimes introduced in his original form in his orchestral works. Melartin has gained popularity both at home and abroad, especially through his traditional, weighty songs and piano pieces.
This piano piece Tarantella is from op 23 ”Small miniatures for piano”
The dance got its name from the fact that it resembles the convulsions after tarantula bites.
I suppose that the ending chord in the music describes how the dancers fall to the ground from cramp, a painful contraction of a muscle which cannot be controlled. But they probably do not die from the bite.
K2 Concert Recording AB
Best wishes
Stig
Pianoteqenthusiast, Organteqenthusiast, Harpteqenthusiast, Harpsichordteqenthusiast
