Czinka Panna was the famous leader of a gypsy band in the late eighteenth century. Many traditional melodies are believed to be her invention. After a moderately paced introduction, the first, slow melody is played once only. A quicker interlude is performed first by the piano, then with passages for the violin. The second theme in the major key has two parts: the first is slower, while the second, in the relative minor, changes suddenly to a quick tempo with typical dotted rhythm. This exchange between the two parts repeats itself twice. The last, fast tune is also in two-part form. The variations on it use mainly modulations. In the second variation we hear a combination of bowed and plucked tones producing an interesting effect. The short and fast coda repeats the motif.
from notes by Amnon Shaham © 2004
