Squire "Tarantella" . Georg Mertens from CD "Cello Solos"

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Physical CD: http://www.georgcello.com/music.htm

Arranged for cello solo and performed by Georg Mertens on 21 June 2008 at Jenolan Caves Australia.

The story of the Tarantella goes back to the bite of the Tarantula spider of the Mediterranean. When you have been bitten, you have to dance the Tarantella - otherwise you might die! In part A the spider approaches with all the drama. In part B everything seems pleasant and alright again. At the return of part A the poison sets in and the speed gets faster up to a frenzy. At the end chords the poor bitten victim collapses into the healing coma due to having danced the Tarantella - the cellist is released.
As for interpretation, according to the story, the piece starts rather in a moderate speed getting faster and faster in the da capo of part A.

More Youtube videos from the CD "Cello Solos" - Live Recordings from the Concerts in the Cave" on the same channel:
Cathedral Ciaconna (G.Mertens)
Erh Hu improvisation (G.Mertens)
Arabian Improvisation (G. Mertens)
Variations on Neidhardt's "Maienzeit" (G. Mertens)
Asturias [Leyenda] (Albeniz)
Verano Porteno (A. Piazzolla)
Tango Celloguitar (G. Mertens)
The Swan (Saint-Saens)
Spanish Romance (Anonymus / Mertens)
Vocalise (Rachmaninov)
Meditation from Thais (Massenet)
Prelude No 3 (Villa Lobos)

Part of the program of the CELLO CONCERTS with Georg Mertens at Jenolan Caves, the longest series of cello concerts in history with more than 140 cello concerts in 12 years.
Cello Concerts are held regularly every 3d Sat of the month 4pm. Bookings (AU) 02 6359 3911. For program details visit: http://www.georgcello.com/cello.htm

Apart from giving concerts Georg Mertens teaches cello and Classical guitar in Katoomba / Blue Mountains.

Georg Mertens also wrote a 'Systematic Analysis of Bow Technique. It can now be viewed at http://www.georgcello.com/bow.htm
This video has been recorded and edited by "bushtrailer" http://au.youtube.com/user/bushtrailer.

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• Bach
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[TheSilver112]

if you would give a concert in Estonia(top of the Baltics) id do anything not to miss it

[georgcello]

@TheSilver112. I'd love to play there. I think in 1992 Camerata Talinn came to Penrith, the place I was teaching. They inspired me to play Paganini's centone di Sonata for violin & guitar: nice people. In my last concert a couple from Lithuania talked to me, supposed to be fanastic cake bakers. You live in a good area, of course also home of Jasha Heifets, the greatest violinist.G.

[silverdilber]

just to the tarantula comments, this song isnt about tarantula's, it's a tarantella...a dance that's meant to get rid of toxic bites...it don't mean tarantula

[georgcello]

silverdilber, you are wrong. If you would be correct, the dance would be called toxicella. The spread of the dance covers exactly the spread of the spider. To go from the specific to the general (bite of one to general toxic bites) is typical for cultural symbols; you are correct there. Also language tells the story; I recommend to look into etymological sound shifts. By the way, the spider is not that poisonous, but the large scary thing was ideal to make it an emotional symbol.G.

[gardengatewind]

That is very interesting! Thank you for responding to my question. I work as a historical reinactor in Sacramento California but music is not my priority, attire is. Have you knowledge of where I might be able to find a seriously dissonant and bizarre version in sheet music so I could start looking for an accompanyist? Congratulations on playing in the caves. Extraordinary!

[georgcello]

The cello Tarantellas I know are all from the Romantic period. For your purpose it might be an idea to search Amazon or cdbaby for either later Tarantellas or very early ones.

[chexmix4all]

Please come to the States!

[master6339]

@CelloChick14 its not that hard >.>

[xDSlimz]

Maybe this jag should actually get good at cello before pulling a performance like this out of his ass. Jesus Christ...disgraceful.

[begincalcination]

Magical!



[ASimsPlayer]

omg omg that last part. 2 die for!

[MrMogmoo]

lot of applause you got there.

[CelloChick14]

Learning this song right now! :D I LOVE IT!!! It's wicked hard, yet WICKED fun!!! Though I'm not familiar with the pizz that you did at the beginning. My version of the piece starts off with like 8 measures of rest (or so) and goes right into the bowing part. Interesting... FABULOUS none the less!!

[cellogirlSMILE]

Love, Love, love this song! :D I am gonna be learning this soon!

[kinggo99]

I was thinking as playing this as an anysma (probably spelled wrong) solo

[SnakeJones11]

I love that song I'm 10 years old and hope to play like you one day. also this is not my email its my brothers and I listen to J.S Bach all the time.