Barcarolle
A gondolier’s song in 6/8 or 12/8 time.
What it means
The barcarolle is a song or instrumental piece in the character of a gondolier’s or boatman’s song. The name goes back to the Italian barca, “boat”, and refers to the songs of the Venetian gondoliers, which served as a model.
Characteristic is a rocking rhythm in compound metre, usually 6/8 or 12/8, that traces the even motion of the boat on the water. The accompaniment often consists of a calmly swaying figure over which a songful melody unfolds.
The barcarolle is to be distinguished from the pastorale, which likewise frequently stands in 6/8 but depicts rural scenes and shepherds’ music. Both share the rocking rhythm, but the barcarolle is shaped by the image of water, the pastorale by that of the meadow.
In the notation
The barcarolle almost always stands in 6/8 or 12/8 time. Typical is an accompaniment figure that sets the root on the first beat and fills the remaining eighths of the triplet group with chord notes. The melody usually lies in long values over this motion. The designation stands as a title or movement heading.
Musical use
As a genre the barcarolle spreads in the nineteenth century, in opera, song and piano music. In operas it stands in scenes set in Venice or by the water; in the piano literature independent pieces of this name arise. Even without the express title, composers take up the barcarolle rhythm when they wish to depict water and motion.
The barcarolle imitates the rocking of a gondola, usually with an evenly swaying accompaniment figure. Well-known examples come from Chopin and Offenbach. The rocking metre of 6/8 sets the character, the melody usually lying calmly over it.
Performance practice
Keep the rocking rhythm even and light; it should carry, not stamp. Emphasise the first beat of each group gently and let the remaining eighths flow. Lead the melody songfully over the accompaniment. And take the tempo calmly — a barcarolle rocks, it does not hurry.