Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1937

Average_duration

:

17:02

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Sécheresses, FP 90 is a song cycle composed by Francis Poulenc in 1946. The premiere of the work took place on May 22, 1946, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Pierre Bernac as the soloist. The cycle consists of six songs, each of which sets a poem by a different French poet. The first song, "Le pont", sets a text by Max Jacob and depicts a bridge over a dry riverbed. The second song, "Cocardes", sets a text by Jean Cocteau and describes the colors of a rooster's feathers. The third song, "Voyage à Paris", sets a text by Guillaume Apollinaire and evokes the sights and sounds of the city. The fourth song, "Banalités", sets a text by Paul Éluard and explores the themes of love and death. The fifth song, "Montparnasse", sets a text by Louis Aragon and portrays the bohemian life of the Parisian neighborhood. The final song, "Sanglots", sets a text by Pierre de Ronsard and expresses the pain of unrequited love. The music of Sécheresses is characterized by Poulenc's distinctive style, which combines elements of neoclassicism and French impressionism. The piano accompaniment is often sparse and delicate, with shimmering arpeggios and subtle harmonies. The vocal lines are lyrical and expressive, with frequent use of melisma and ornamentation. Poulenc's use of dissonance is restrained but effective, adding a touch of modernity to the otherwise tonal music. Overall, Sécheresses is a masterful example of Poulenc's artistry as a composer of art songs. The cycle showcases his ability to set a variety of texts with sensitivity and imagination, while also demonstrating his unique musical voice.

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