Composer

:

Samuel Barber

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1950 - 1951

Average_duration

:

9:07

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Samuel Barber's 'Mélodies passagères (5), songs for voice & piano, Op. 27' is a collection of five songs composed in 1950. The premiere of the work took place on January 10, 1951, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The songs are based on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke, a German poet. The five movements of 'Mélodies passagères' are titled 'Un cynge,' 'Tombeau dans un parc,' 'Le clocher chante,' 'Départ,' and 'Monotone.' Each movement is distinct in its musical and emotional characteristics. The first movement, 'Un cynge,' is a melancholic and introspective song that features a simple and repetitive piano accompaniment. The vocal line is characterized by long, sustained notes that convey a sense of longing and sadness. The second movement, 'Tombeau dans un parc,' is a more lively and rhythmic song that features a playful piano accompaniment. The vocal line is more varied and expressive, with sudden shifts in dynamics and tempo that reflect the changing moods of the poem. The third movement, 'Le clocher chante,' is a slow and contemplative song that features a delicate and intricate piano accompaniment. The vocal line is characterized by a sense of wonder and awe, as the poem describes the beauty of a church bell ringing in the distance. The fourth movement, 'Départ,' is a dramatic and emotional song that features a powerful and driving piano accompaniment. The vocal line is characterized by a sense of urgency and desperation, as the poem describes the pain of leaving a loved one behind. The final movement, 'Monotone,' is a haunting and ethereal song that features a sparse and atmospheric piano accompaniment. The vocal line is characterized by a sense of detachment and resignation, as the poem describes the monotony of life and the inevitability of death. Overall, 'Mélodies passagères' is a beautiful and evocative work that showcases Barber's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of Rilke's poetry.

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