Thread: What does the name mean? Rameau's piece.

Can someone, please, translate to English, or, at least, explain the meaning of the name of Rameau's piece "Rondeau des Indes Galantes" - the Google translator just copies it as is.

Thanks in advance

Rondeau is a musical form (I'm sure you already know that part). The "des Indes Galantes" part refers to Rameau's opera-ballet of the same name, with four acts each depicting scenes of the lives of four different indigenous peoples (American indians, Mayas, etc). Galant in old French means merry.

Therefore, I guess, the translation would be "Rondo of Merry Indians" - is this correct?

Rondeau (or Rondo) is a simple musical form which alternates a recurring main theme ('A') and interspersed episodes of contrasting music ('B', 'C', etc) with the final form ABACA.... etc).

Les Indes galantes doesn't translate too well as it becomes The Galant Indies (as in West and East Indies).

So, "Rondeau des Indes Galantes" translates as 'Rondo from The Galant Indies' (a ballet-opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau).

Thanks a lot!

Originally Posted by AmateurComposer

Therefore, I guess, the translation would be "Rondo of Merry Indians" - is this correct?

Indies. Not Indians. Indes is French for Indies, as in the West Indies.
Indian, as in Native American is Indien in French.

Des is a contraction of the words de and les, so des means from the. Woo, italics!

Originally Posted by Delicious Manager

Rondeau (or Rondo) is a simple musical form which alternates a recurring main theme ('A') and interspersed episodes of contrasting music ('B', 'C', etc) with the final form ABACA.... etc).

Les Indes galantes doesn't translate too well as it becomes The Galant Indies (as in West and East Indies).

So, "Rondeau des Indes Galantes" translates as 'Rondo from The Galant Indies' (a ballet-opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau).

Originally Posted by Aksel

Indies. Not Indians. Indes is French for Indies, as in the West Indies.
Indian, as in Native American is Indien in French.

Des is a contraction of the words de and les, so des means from the. Woo, italics!

I'd already clarified this

Originally Posted by Delicious Manager

I'd already clarified this

Balderdash!

Ok, I didn't read it thoroughly enough.