Composer

:

Claude Debussy

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1882

Publication Date

:

1984

Average_duration

:

1:36

"Le lilas, L. 22" is a song composed by Claude Debussy in 1882. It was premiered in Paris in 1908, after the composer's death. The song is part of a collection of six mélodies, which were published in 1903 under the title "Ariettes oubliées". "Le lilas" is the fourth song in the collection and is set to a poem by Paul Verlaine. The song is in the key of F-sharp major and is marked "Très modéré" (very moderate) in tempo. It is a slow and melancholic piece, with a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment that creates a sense of longing and nostalgia. The song is divided into two main sections, each with its own distinct melody and mood. The first section is characterized by a descending melody in the vocal line, which is repeated several times with slight variations. The second section features a more complex and chromatic melody, which rises and falls in a series of sighing phrases. Debussy's setting of Verlaine's poem is particularly effective in capturing the mood and atmosphere of the text. The poem describes a lover's longing for a lost love, and Debussy's music perfectly conveys the sense of sadness and regret that permeates the text. The lilac tree, which is mentioned in the poem, is used as a symbol of the lover's memories and emotions, and Debussy's music creates a dreamlike and ethereal atmosphere that perfectly complements the poem's imagery. Overall, "Le lilas" is a beautiful and haunting song that showcases Debussy's skill as a composer of mélodies. Its simple yet evocative melody and its sensitive setting of Verlaine's poem make it a classic example of French art song.

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