Popper - Tarantella No. 2, Op. 57 (Urtext Edition)

David Popper composed three tarantellas: Opp. 33, 57, and 64, No. 2. His first, the Tarantella in G major, Op. 33, remains a staple of the cello repertoire and is often studied by advancing students. The other two works, however, are frequently overlooked. Zweite Tarantella, Op. 57, dedicated to the cellist-composer Hugo Becker, is a witty and spirited work representative of Popper’s later style. Harmonically adventurous, it displays the same coloristic richness and bold modulations found in Im Walde and Jagdstück.

Published by D. Rahter in 1885, Zweite Tarantella is cast in ternary form. The outer sections are in D major, while the middle section moves through several keys, including D-flat major and A major. Unlike its G-major predecessor, this tarantella lends itself naturally to a slightly slower tempo. An early transcription for violin and piano by Emil Kühns was published in 1887, suggesting that Rahter anticipated broader appeal for the work, though its popularity has since faded. The piece has also been recorded professionally by Japanese cellist Yutaka Hayashi and pianist Satoshi Inagaki.

This edition is based on the first edition published by D. Rahter, plate numbers 2551 and 2762. The separate cello part and the cello line from the piano score have been collated to present a more comprehensive and unified realization of the solo cello part. All editorial changes and deviations from the original text are indicated in the score.

Best suited for advanced cellists, Zweite Tarantella is an effective recital or competition piece for players looking beyond Popper’s more familiar showpieces. It offers opportunities to develop brilliant passagework, rhythmic drive, flexible tempo, bold harmonic character, quick shifts, bow control, and the wit and sparkle essential to Popper’s later virtuoso style.

ASTA level: 5