Ravel's Tzigane

May 13, 2007 at 05:03 AM · Hey Bobbi,

I've played this a dozen times. It's a great recital piece. With all honesty, this is one of those rare circumstances where the music sounds much more difficult than it really is. I found the first and last pages to be the most difficult. The last page looks very very akward, but when you learn the notes, it is hard to make any mistakes, honestly. Pacing is extremely important in this work.

If you feel that it may be above your ability - and are frightened to spend the 30 some bucks for the score - go to www.everynote.com This is a great website for violin music - very very cheap, and reasonable quality.

I have some programming advice for you too, if ever you play this on a recital, perhaps try opening with it. I've played this on a few and I always open with it. I get out onto the stage as fast as I can, and my pianist sits down very quickly - and usually, what I do, is begin the piece with that dark b natural, very quickly - when people are still clapping. It may sound cheesy - but this music reminds me of a Hungarian violinist trying to distract his audience, so that his friend can pick their pockets without their knowing it! :) However, if it is the only really showy work on your program, you may want to reconsider. I think it's a fun opener. And the louder passages in the beginning always seem to make me feel relaxed for the rest of the program - because I get my nerves out with the beginning. If that makes sense!

Enjoy!

May 13, 2007 at 11:00 PM · I would actually consider this one of the more standard works now. Maybe it is a fad or a trend in violin rep. But it is everywhere! At least in my little corner of the globe :)

Jennifer

May 13, 2007 at 11:42 PM · Maurice Ravel- TZIGANE

Violin & Piano Reduction

Publisher: Durand

Sales Agent Hal Leonard #HL 50561654

$22.95 (US)

UPC: 73999616545

Edition Number: DR1062900

Width: 9, Length: 12, 28 pages

Maurice Ravel- TZIGANE

Concerto for violin and orchestra -

Study score

Publisher: Durand

Sales agent HAl Leonard #HL50562771 $19.95 (US)

UPC: 73999126709

Edition Number: DR1088800

Width: 7, Length: 11, 34 pages

Orchestra Full score and parts on rental - Boosey & Hawkes.

The edition showing on the everynote website is Illegal in the U.S. as the work is still under copyright.

May 14, 2007 at 12:47 AM · The everynote website FAQ section claims that all their works available for purchase and download are in the public domain in the US. They claim that their editors review the pieces for their copyright status. I'm definately not questioning your assesment that the Ravel on display is not in the public domain, but I am wondering what other pieces on the website are not in legal order. I download pieces from there a lot and don't want to be breaking copyright laws. Do you know a) how everynote can get away with that and b) any other pieces that actually aren't in the public domain?

Thanks!

May 14, 2007 at 01:46 AM · Thomas, I find a few sites for your ease of refernece:

http://www.pdinfo.com/

http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm

http://www.copyright.gov/

May 14, 2007 at 01:42 AM · Ravel: Tzigane - Publisher Information: Paris: Durand & Cie., 1924, plate #D. & F. 10.888

http://www.pdinfo.com/index.htm

The proof that a musical work is in the public domain [in the U.S.] is a sheet music publication with a copyright date of 1922 or earlier.

The claim that "pre-1923 works are safe" is only correct for published works; unpublished works are under federal copyright for at least the life of the author plus seventy years in the U.S.

http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page

International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP) public domain music score library in Canada:

Works of Ravel are most likely not public domain within the EU and in those countries where the copyright term is life+70 years. They may also be protected by copyright in the USA, unless published before 1923, in which case they are PD there as well. However, Ravel's works are public domain in Canada (where IMSLP is hosted), and in other countries where the copyright term is life+50 years.

Most works listed by IMSLP will give the year of publication and the copyright information.

So Tzigane missed being PD in the U.S. by two years. If the copyright law does not change the Full score and parts will be reprinted on Jan 1, 2021 in the U.S.

Until then only the Durand publication of the violin/piano and the study score are legally available for sale in the U.S.

Tzigane is available in Canada and China now and will be available soon in France.

The easy way to see if a work is PD in the U.S is to search the Kalmus/Master Music catalog.

4 works of Ravel for Violin and piano are listed (not Tzigane).

You could ask everynote why they feel they can post this sheet music. Even though IMSLP has a listing they state that only in Canada and a few other coutries can this be downloaded.

Don't we wish there was an "international copyright law"?

Clint Nieweg

Philadelphia Orchestra Librarian (ret.)

(Research for conductors,librarians, players)

May 14, 2007 at 12:02 PM · Thanks to both of you. I teach my students to read the bottom of their music to see that you're not supposed to copy it. I definately don't want to be hypocritical and knowingly or unknowingly copy (download) it myself.

I appreciate the information and websites.