Composer

:

Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1871

Average_duration

:

3:29

"El Desdichado" is a song composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1872. It was premiered on May 5, 1873, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris. The song is based on a poem by Gérard de Nerval, a French poet who suffered from mental illness and committed suicide in 1855. The song is written for voice and piano and consists of three movements. The first movement is marked "Lento" and is in the key of E-flat minor. It begins with a haunting piano introduction that sets the mood for the melancholic and introspective text. The vocal line is lyrical and expressive, with long phrases that convey the sense of longing and despair expressed in the poem. The second movement is marked "Allegro" and is in the key of E-flat major. It is a contrast to the first movement, with a more upbeat and lively character. The vocal line is more virtuosic, with rapid runs and arpeggios that showcase the singer's technical abilities. The piano accompaniment is also more complex, with intricate figurations that create a sense of urgency and excitement. The third movement is marked "Lento" and returns to the melancholic mood of the first movement. It is in the key of E-flat minor and features a simple and sparse piano accompaniment that allows the vocal line to shine. The vocal line is more subdued than in the first movement, with a sense of resignation and acceptance of the protagonist's fate. Overall, "El Desdichado" is a powerful and emotional song that showcases Saint-Saëns' skill as a composer and his ability to capture the essence of the text in his music. The song is a testament to the enduring power of Nerval's poetry and the impact it had on the French literary and artistic scene of the 19th century.

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