Saint-Saëns wrote the Wedding Cake, Caprice-valseOp. 76, in 1885 at the age of 50. It is scored for solopiano accompanied by a small string orchestra. Apopular and attractive work it quickly appeared in theDurand catalogue in versions for 2-pianos, piano duet,and solo piano. However none of these arrangementsare by Saint-Saëns himself. The work was done by A.Benfeld, the pseudonym of a well-known Parisianophthalmologist, excellent pianist, and friend of thecomposer: he was also the dedicatee of Saint-SaënsSuite Algérienne, Op. 60. In these contemporary versions the one for pianoduet effectively redistributes the solo and orchestralmaterial between the players. But the version for 2-pianos keeps the solo part entirely in Piano I, leavinglittle of interest for Piano II to do. This seemed to me to be a wasted opportunity forsome 2-piano fun, hence the present arrangementwhich keeps both players appropriately busy. The Cake Walk emerged from the slaveplantations of the Southern United States. As a dance itwas an extension of the late 19th century ‘Prize Walks’in which a cake was awarded as first prize to the bestcouple. Some contemporary witnesses said that themovements of the dance were in direct and grotesquemockery of the parade dances popular at the GrandBalls of the plantation owners.
- ISMN: 9790708129462 (M708129462)
