Composer

:

Louis Vierne

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

2:27

Louis Vierne's "Spleens et Détresses, Op. 38: No. 5, À une femme" is a song cycle composed in 1918. The premiere of the work took place on May 7, 1919, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Maurice Renaud as the soloist. The song cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by a different French poet. The fifth movement, "À une femme," sets a poem by Paul Verlaine. The poem is a love letter to a woman, expressing the speaker's desire to be with her and his longing for her presence. The music of "À une femme" is characterized by its lush harmonies and expressive melodies. The piano accompaniment is rich and complex, with frequent use of chromaticism and dissonance. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with a wide range of dynamics and emotions. The song begins with a gentle piano introduction, setting the mood for the romantic and passionate text. The vocal line enters with a soaring melody, expressing the speaker's longing for the woman he loves. The music builds in intensity as the text becomes more passionate, with the piano accompaniment becoming more complex and dissonant. The middle section of the song features a more subdued and introspective mood, with the vocal line becoming more contemplative and introspective. The piano accompaniment is more sparse and delicate, with a sense of longing and nostalgia. The final section of the song returns to the passionate and romantic mood of the opening, with the vocal line soaring to its highest notes and the piano accompaniment becoming more intense and complex. The song ends with a sense of longing and desire, expressing the speaker's yearning for the woman he loves. Overall, "À une femme" is a beautiful and expressive song, showcasing Vierne's mastery of harmony and melody. The music perfectly captures the emotions and mood of Verlaine's poem, creating a powerful and moving musical experience.

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