Las Dolly Sisters (2021)
Gabriela Ortiz
Performed Live by Duo Entre-Nous
Jackie Glazier, clarinet
Don-Paul Kahl, saxophone
Tucson, Arizona
17 August 2022
www.duoentreno...
www.gabrielaor...
Programme Note (written by Don-Paul Kahl):
"Las Dolly Sisters is a tour de force for the medium of the clarinet and saxophone duo representing a similarly dynamic duo of iconic Americana. Composed by the great Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, Las Dolly Sisters is a sonic exploration of the 1920's dancing, acting, vaudeville twin sisters based in Hollywood known as the Dolly Sisters. Originally from Hungary but having emigrated to the US at an early age, Rosie and Jenny Dolly, were a hit sensation in the early 20th century known for their incredible duo dancing routines and their appearances in hit films of the time. Their popularity in mainstream culture only lasted for about 10 years before they grew out of fashion with the public before The Great Depression hit America. Later in the 1940's their story would be turned into a film itself. However, in Cuba a similar duo aptly named "Las Dolly Sisters" raised to prominence dancing highly rhythmic styles such as the (cha-cha-cha, mambo, sabroso, etc) with a wide variety of meter and tempo changes. It is this later duo for which this work was written and inspired.
The work itself is demanding and virtuosic - each instrument must play a dual role of soloist and duo partner. One can hear each sister playing her part in the duo while steadily maintaining a clear understanding of the dance for which she is acting. Each section features several different dances - mambo, cha-cha, and sabroso. At a certain point the dances become less classically structured with deconstructions and minimalist elements. At the climax the two instruments are again partnered and dancing as one until the very end of the work - both a celebration and a relief!
Las Dolly Sisters was commissioned by a consortium of saxophonists and clarinetists of which Duo Entre-Nous was a contributing member."
15 окт 2024
