French Cancan

The Anacrouse collection offers pianists, beginners and advanced alike, a wide choice of classical works from the Renaissance to the present day. It brings together major works of the repertoire as well as rarer pieces, and also offers transcriptions for piano solo or four hands, selected for their musical and educational interest. Each score, available individually, benefits from careful editorial work: a rigorously established musical text, clear and legible engraving, accompanied by a short biography of the composer and a note on the work.

The “French Cancan” (Galop infernal), presented here in a solo piano transcription by David Neyrolles, is a virtuosic, spirited piece that demands great liveliness of execution and absolute rhythmic precision. This title is taken from the reference songbook “9 Famous Classical Themes for Piano”, the third volume of the Anacrouse collection. This elementary-to-intermediate transcription makes it possible to approach Parisian gaiety with fluid writing, working on rapid movements and bounce of touch to convey the overflowing energy of this dance.

Composed in 1858 by Jacques Offenbach (1819-1880) for his operetta Orpheus in the Underworld, this “Galop infernal” has become the universal symbol of the French Cancan and of Montmartre nightlife. Its frenetic, joyful melody has crossed the centuries, appearing in countless films, shows and adverts. This edition allows the pianist to rediscover at the keyboard all the fire, brilliance and sparkling humour of this emblematic work of the Second Empire, a true hymn to celebration.