Anitra's Dance - the Clif's notes to the story

So, I spent some time with the score for Anitra’s Dance. Wow, what a simple piece! I wrote up an analysis of the score (boring) and then put it aside.

Last night I woke up at 4:00 AM and rather than think about work, I came up with a story for Anitra and her Dance.

Anitra - a fetching 17 year old, decides, upon the urging of her handsome fiance, to sneak out and meet him one night.

The first part, introducing the theme with repeat, is Anitra happily sneaking out of the house, to great success.

Then we get into the 2nd part. Here, Anitra is out of doors. She realizes that it’s cold and shivers.

She goes forth, expecting to find her fiance, (A section), but getting a little anxious. She hear’s an echo to her steps/dance (mandola).

In the B section, she’s frightened - someone is following her (we hear him creeping in the mandola section as the echo)

At the divisi at measure 69, they encounter each other, but she runs away and we repeat the 2nd part.

Same thing second time around but at 69, she recognizes him and there’s a nice reunion going to the 2nd ending. We end with a minor chord rather than a major as foreshadowing of their ongoing relationship. Is he a bit of a sadist? Who’s to know!!!