Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song Cycle

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

4:02

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon, FP 122 is a song cycle composed by Francis Poulenc in 1943. The cycle consists of two songs, "C" and "Fêtes galantes," both of which are based on poems by the French surrealist poet Louis Aragon. The premiere of Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon took place on May 25, 1943, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Pierre Bernac as the soloist. The first song, "C," is a haunting and melancholic piece that features a slow and mournful melody. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with the left hand playing a simple, repetitive pattern that creates a sense of unease and tension. The lyrics, which describe a woman's longing for her absent lover, are full of vivid and evocative imagery, such as "the sea of your absence" and "the wind of your voice." The second song, "Fêtes galantes," is a more upbeat and playful piece that features a lively and rhythmic melody. The piano accompaniment is more complex and virtuosic, with the left hand playing a series of fast and intricate arpeggios. The lyrics, which describe a group of revelers dancing and singing in a garden, are full of wit and humor, with lines like "the moon is a big cheese" and "the stars are like little cakes." Overall, Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon is a beautiful and expressive song cycle that showcases Poulenc's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the mood and tone of Aragon's poetry. The cycle is a testament to the enduring power of art to inspire and move us, even in the darkest of times.

More....