Tarantula (Introduction and Tarantella)

Tarantulaexplores the origins of the tarantella dance. Said to be caused by the bit of a poisonous spider, the dance becomes wilder and wilder leading to the dancer collapsing from exhaustion! Beginning with an optional (but highly preferred) classical guitar solo that introduces the two main themes for the work the tempo increases substantially as the victim begins to dance the tarantella. Although the basic structure of the piece is a traditional sonata form, there is a constant sense of increasing intensity and anxiety throughout the work, until the coda finally accelerates to a frenzied conclusion. A true showstopper!