Overview
Introduction
"Csárdás" (or "Czardas") is a composition by Italian composer Vittorio Monti. A rhapsodicalconcert piece written in 1904, it is a well-known folkloric piece based on a Hungarian csárdás.It was originally composed for violin, mandolinor piano.There are arrangementsfor orchestraand for a number of solo instruments. The duration of the piece is about four and a half minutes.
Structure
The piece has seven different sections, usually of a different tempo and occasionally key. The first half of the piece is in D minor, then modulates to D major, back to D minor, and then finally finishes in D major. The first section is Andante – Largo, followed by a large increase in speed to Allegro vivo. This then slows down to Molto meno. The piece then slows down more to Meno, quasi lento. The piece then suddenly picks up in pace and is at Allegro vivace. It then slows down to Allegrettoand finally to Molto più vivo. The tempo changes make the piece exciting and interesting, but even with all of these tempo changes, it is generally expected that there should be some rubatoto add feeling to the piece. There are also many different dynamic changes in the piece, ranging from pianissimoto fortissimo.
In the Meno, quasi lentosection, the violin plays "artificial," "stopped," or (less accurately) "false" harmonics. This involves the violinist placing their finger down on the note and playing another note, with the finger only just touching the string 5 semitonesabove. This gives the effect of the violin sounding two octaves(24 semitones) higher.
In popular culture
- The British Film Institutedatabase lists a 1927 short film made in the DeForest Phonofilmsound-on-film process by the Samehtini Trio, featuring this work played by a pianist and cellist.
- Sylvia Fineused the Allegro vivosection from this composition as the closing theme for her comic composition The Little Fiddle (Symphony for Unstrung Tongue), as performed by her husband, Danny Kaye, first in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and afterward as a release on Decca Records.
- The theme is also prominently featured in the 1951 Bollywoodmovie Awaara.
- Grace Jonesadapted a portion of the melody as an intro for her version of "Autumn Leaves" on her 1978 album Fame.
- It was a featured piece involving dueling violins in the 1984 film Unfaithfully Yours.
- Lady Gagaused part of Csárdás as an intro for her song "Alejandro" from her 2009 album The Fame Monster.
- Louis C.K.used this piece as part of the introduction to episode 6 "Subway/Pamela" from season 2 of his show Louie.
- Piano Tiles 2, an iOS/Androidrhythm app created by Cheetah Mobile, uses this song.
- In the post-wedding scene of the last episode of the second season of the television show Transparent, the violinist among the musicians performing "Hava Nagilah" intersperses quotations from the piece's fast motif occurring in sections including the last one.
