Composer

:

Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1913

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Camille Saint-Saëns composed his 'Choruses (2), Op. 141' in 1913. The piece premiered on May 25, 1913, at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, with the composer conducting. The work consists of two movements, each with its own distinct characteristics. The first movement, titled "Les Fleurs et les Arbres" (The Flowers and the Trees), is a setting of a poem by the French poet Théodore de Banville. The music is light and delicate, with a flowing melody that evokes the beauty of nature. The choir sings in unison for much of the piece, with occasional harmonies and counterpoint. The accompaniment is provided by a piano, which adds to the gentle, pastoral atmosphere of the music. The second movement, titled "Les Fleurs et les Arbres" (The Flowers and the Trees), is a setting of a poem by the French poet Paul Verlaine. This movement is more dramatic and intense than the first, with a darker, more complex harmonic language. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with frequent shifts in texture and dynamics. The piano accompaniment is more prominent in this movement, providing a driving rhythm and adding to the sense of urgency in the music. Overall, 'Choruses (2), Op. 141' is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Saint-Saëns' skill as a composer of choral music. The two movements are quite different in character, but both are united by their focus on the natural world and the emotions it inspires. The piece is a testament to Saint-Saëns' enduring popularity as a composer, even in the later years of his life.

More....