Hyperion Records

‘The Author in this morceau (which is entirely original) has endeavoured to convey an idea of the singular rhythm and charming character of the music which exists among the Creoles of the Spanish Antilles. Chopin, it is well known, transferred the national traits of Poland to his Mazurkas and Polonaises and Mr. Gottschalk has endeavoured to reproduce in works of an appropriate character the characteristic traits of the Dances of the West Indias [sic].’ Thus does Gottschalk preface one of his major successes, by turn brilliant and seductive. A further ‘Note by the Author’ suggest that it should be played ‘exactly as written as the license occasionally indulged in by pupils, of substituting their own thoughts for those of the composer must inevitably interfere with the general effect.’

from notes by Jeremy Nicholas © 1994