Composer

:

Darius Milhaud

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1919

Average_duration

:

16:49

Le boeuf sur le toit is a ballet composed by Darius Milhaud in 1919. The plot of the ballet is based on a Brazilian folktale about a bull that escapes from a farm and ends up on the roof of a house in the city. The bull becomes a symbol of freedom and joy, and the people of the city celebrate its presence with music and dance. The ballet is divided into 17 movements, each with its own unique character and style. The music is a blend of Brazilian and French influences, with elements of jazz, samba, and classical music. The score features a wide range of instruments, including saxophones, percussion, and a variety of Brazilian instruments such as the cuica and the berimbau. The premiere of Le boeuf sur le toit took place in Paris in 1920, and it was an immediate success. The ballet was praised for its innovative music and choreography, as well as its playful and lighthearted tone. The ballet became a sensation in Parisian society, and it was frequently performed in cabarets and nightclubs. The movements of the ballet are characterized by their lively rhythms and colorful melodies. The opening movement, titled "Introduction et marche de l'empereur," features a regal march that sets the tone for the rest of the ballet. Other movements, such as "Rag-time du paon" and "Cocktail," showcase Milhaud's jazz influences and feature syncopated rhythms and improvisational solos. The ballet also includes several vocal pieces, such as "Ah! Vous dirai-je, maman" and "Je te veux," which are sung by a soprano and a tenor. These pieces add a lyrical quality to the ballet and provide a contrast to the instrumental movements. Overall, Le boeuf sur le toit is a playful and exuberant ballet that captures the spirit of the 1920s. Its innovative music and choreography have made it a classic of the modernist era, and it continues to be performed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.

More....