A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Fackeltanz

by George Grove

FACKELTANZ, or Marche aux flambeaux, a torchlight procession—a survival from the mediæval tournaments—which takes place at some of the German Courts on occasion of the marriage of members of the royal family. The procession has to march round the court or hall, with various intricate ceremonies (Times, Feb. 19, 1878). The music—for military band—is a Polonaise in march-time (3-4), usually a loud first and last part, and a soft trio. Meyerbeer has written four—one for the marriage of the Princess Royal (Jan. 25, 1858). Spontini, Flotow, and others, have also written them.

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