Composer

:

Henri Duparc

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Nocturne

Compose Date

:

1874

Average_duration

:

5:43

Henri Duparc's 'Aux étoiles' is a song composed in 1869, with the premiere taking place in 1870. The song is part of a set of four songs, collectively known as 'Quatre poèmes d'Henri Cazalis'. The other three songs in the set are 'Phidylé', 'La vague et la cloche', and 'Le manoir de Rosemonde'. 'Aux étoiles' is a single-movement song, with a duration of approximately four minutes. The song is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. The lyrics of the song are in French and were written by Henri Cazalis. The song is characterized by its melancholic and dreamy atmosphere, which is created by the use of chromatic harmonies and a slow tempo. The song begins with a gentle and flowing piano introduction, which sets the mood for the rest of the piece. The vocal line enters with a simple melody, which gradually becomes more complex as the song progresses. The lyrics of the song describe the speaker's longing to be among the stars, away from the troubles of the world. The use of celestial imagery, such as "étoiles" (stars) and "ciel" (sky), adds to the dreamy and otherworldly atmosphere of the song. The middle section of the song features a more dramatic and intense vocal line, which is accompanied by a more complex piano part. The use of dissonant harmonies and sudden dynamic changes adds to the emotional intensity of this section. The song then returns to its original mood, with a gentle and flowing piano accompaniment supporting the vocal line. Overall, 'Aux étoiles' is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Duparc's skill as a composer. The use of chromatic harmonies and celestial imagery creates a dreamy and melancholic atmosphere, which perfectly captures the mood of the lyrics. The song remains a popular choice for vocalists and is considered a classic of the French art song repertoire.

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