Composer

:

Claude Debussy

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1887

Average_duration

:

3:02

"La Chevelure" is a song composed by Claude Debussy, which is part of his song cycle "Ariettes oubliées." The song was composed in 1885 and premiered in 1903. It is a setting of a poem by Paul Verlaine, which describes the beauty of a woman's hair. The song is in three movements, with the first and third being in a slow tempo and the second being faster. The first movement begins with a gentle, flowing melody in the piano, which is then joined by the voice. The melody is simple and repetitive, with the voice singing long, sustained notes. The second movement is more lively, with a faster tempo and a more complex melody. The piano plays a series of arpeggios, while the voice sings a more intricate melody. The third movement returns to the slow tempo of the first, with a melody that is similar to the opening of the song. The characteristics of "La Chevelure" are typical of Debussy's style. The melody is often based on simple, repeating patterns, which are then developed and expanded upon. The harmony is often ambiguous, with chords that are not clearly major or minor. The piano part is also important, with Debussy using it to create a rich, colorful texture. The song is also notable for its use of symbolism, with the woman's hair representing her beauty and sensuality. Overall, "La Chevelure" is a beautiful and evocative song that showcases Debussy's unique style and his ability to create rich, complex textures with simple melodies and harmonies.

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