Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Chanson

Compose Date

:

1925 - 1926

Average_duration

:

12:45

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Francis Poulenc's 'Chansons polonaises (8)', FP 69, is a collection of eight songs for voice and piano, composed in 1935. The premiere of the work took place on 22nd January 1936, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Pierre Bernac as the vocalist. The eight songs in the collection are based on Polish folk melodies, which Poulenc discovered during his travels to Poland in 1934. The songs are arranged in a sequence that follows the traditional structure of a Polish wedding, with each song representing a different part of the ceremony. The first song, 'L'adieu', is a farewell to the bride's family, and is characterized by a mournful melody and a slow tempo. The second song, 'La petite fille sage', is a playful tune that describes the bride's childhood. The third song, 'Le premier mazurka', is a lively dance that marks the beginning of the wedding celebration. The fourth song, 'Dans les ténèbres', is a somber piece that represents the bride's fear of leaving her family and entering into a new life. The fifth song, 'Les yeux noirs', is a romantic ballad that describes the beauty of the bride's eyes. The sixth song, 'Le beau voyage', is a joyful tune that celebrates the couple's journey together. The seventh song, 'La fille aux cheveux de lin', is a tender melody that describes the bride's hair. The final song, 'Le château de Polignac', is a triumphant march that represents the couple's arrival at their new home. The 'Chansons polonaises' are characterized by Poulenc's signature style, which combines elements of traditional French music with modernist techniques. The songs are marked by their simple melodies, clear harmonies, and expressive use of rhythm and dynamics. Overall, the 'Chansons polonaises' are a charming and evocative tribute to Polish folk music, and a testament to Poulenc's skill as a composer of vocal music.

More....