This is the FULL SCORE for Mark Starr's recent orchestration for SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA of Isaac Albeniz's "Zortzico in E minor." Albeniz composed this work in 1887 for piano solo. Starr's copyrighted orchestration is available for concert performances and commercial recordings through licenses from Noteworthy Musical Editions (email: noteworthymusic@zasu.us ). Full sets of orchestral parts are available ON RENTAL from Noteworthy Musical Editions. Please specify number of string parts required. A "zortzico" is a Basque dance characterized by five beats in a bar. The five beats are always grouped into 3 + 2.

Dotted rhythms on the second and fourth beats repeat from start to finish. A "zortzico" is most commonly performed by a mixed group in a circle. The dance is hypnotic, seductive and sensusal in character. Occasionally, the circle is broken to form a line, which slowly weaves its way through the streets of a village. The dance is usually performed by a fiddle or a "txuisto" (a three-hole Basque flute,) accompanied by a tuned drum and a tambourine basque and castagnettes. Albeniz was Catalan, not Basque -- but evidently he was fascinated by the beguiling rhythm of this Basque folk dance -- since he composed two "zortzicos." Mark Starr has arranged both "zortzicos" for symphony orchestra. This one, in E minor, Albeniz composed for piano solo.

It was published in Madrid in 1887. A second zortzico, in E major, forms the final movement of Albeniz's 6-movement suite for piano, Espana. In Starr's view, an orchestra is an ideal medium in which to present this sensual, luscious music. Indeed, only sustained instruments, such as strings, can effectively perform the many extended crescendos and diminuendos on long tones that make up the central section of the work. The incessant repetitions in the percussion and strings' pizzicati of the dotted rhythm that characterizes the "zortzico" creates a hypnotic spell over the listener. Albeniz Zortzico in E minor lasts about 6 minutes. It is very different in texture from Alkan's other compositions -- which are are often characterized by pianistic virtuosity and a wild profusion of pianistic colors. Debussy humorously remarked on Albeniz's predeliction for brilliant colors in a critical article: "Albeniz handles his colors as lavishly as he handles his money.

When he finds that five sous' of postage are not quite enough for a letter, he immediately pastes ten sous of stamps on the envelope." You can hear a music video of Mark Starr's orchestration of Albeniz's Zortzico in E minor on YouTube, in the channel reserved by "NoteworthyMusicEditn".