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Cornish Dance No 1 - Cammeyer
"In this group I regard the "Cornish Dances" already mentioned as the composer’s highest achievement - and I think Cammeyer did too. We both played them often - but not publicly, as far as I can remember.
Of the "Dances" Cammeyer said more than once, "I know I’ve gone ‘way above their heads this time but, anyway, they don’t tread on anybody’s toes." - the second part of his remark meaning that this work owed nothing to any other composer."
-- Bernard Sheaff
When I travelled back in time to meed Alfred, I also recored the following (apocryphal) conversation:
"When I finished listening, I wondered at the richness and variety of dynamics and expression in Cammeyer's music, and asked him whether or not he wanted me to notate it on the score.
"I would have done so myself if I wanted," he replied. "I shall keep it unwritten, so that if the love of banjoists for my music ever disappears, so shall the knowledge which makes its beauty."
I said, "the banjo is under your will only."
Cammeyer smiled and told me that I had become a Minister of Truth."
Views: 194
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Comment by Trapdoor2 on April 27, 2012 at 19:05
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Well, Mr. Minister, you've told some truth in your playing. Well done!
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Comment by thereallyniceman on April 27, 2012 at 19:35
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WOW, and WOW again. That is another great classic banjo piece. Cammeyer's stuff never ceases to amaze and impress me. They are just perfect for true classic style. Your crisp, clean attack shines through the whole piece.. superb performance Maestro Mike.
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Comment by Sylvia on April 27, 2012 at 23:21
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Well done Mike , and Well done Cammeyer, just a little different from the usual perhaps.
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Comment by Jody Stecher on April 28, 2012 at 0:42
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The piece actually makes a certain amount of sense to me. But I wonder if any part is Cornish and how this came to be called a dance.
It is easy to imagine how Cornwall became Anglicized as a result of dancing to such music. Moving around the room at ever changing speeds the Cornish dancers crashed into each other, injured their legs and ankles, and ended up all piled up together in the corner, quite defenseless. Unable to move their feet they listened to the music and were so astonished they were speechless.
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Hi Jody , I reckon a good choreographer ( oh my that is a big word so early in the morning , hope I've spelt it correctly ) could make quite an interesting dance using this piece of music : )
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Comment by thereallynicelady on April 28, 2012 at 9:16
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Sylvia and Mike, I'll use this music when I do my dance exercising. I reckon it's either the warm up or the cool down - it may even be the high point in the middle. I'll let you know!
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For those who want to play-along-a-Mike, I have added the score, with piano part for "The Floral Dance" (Cammeyer's Cornish Dance No1) to our MUSIC LIBRARY..have fun!
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Comment by Mike Moss on April 28, 2012 at 9:48
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@Jody
I think the final blow came when king Donyarth of Cornwall attempted to dance to Cornish Dance No 2 -- "The Romp" -- and fell into a river and drowned.
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Thanks, Ian and Lynn... on the piano part, I found it impossible to produce a decent MIDI file, even when I tried to "force" it to play with expression; it's a pity, really, because the Cornish Dances really need the piano and do sound a bit thin without it.
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Hi the really nice lady, do you teach dance exercise ? with the KFA by any chance ?
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