Composer

:

Morten Lauridsen

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chanson

Compose Date

:

1993

Average_duration

:

3:41

"La rose complète (Les Chansons des Roses No. 4)" is a choral composition by Morten Lauridsen, an American composer and professor of composition at the University of Southern California. The piece was composed in 1993 and premiered in 1994 by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Paul Salamunovich. The composition is a setting of five poems from Rainer Maria Rilke's "Les Roses" collection, translated into English by Lauridsen himself. The five movements are titled "En une seule fleur," "Contre qui, rose," "De ton rêve trop plein," "La rose complète," and "Dirait-on." The first movement, "En une seule fleur," is a delicate and ethereal setting of a poem about the beauty and fragility of a single flower. The second movement, "Contre qui, rose," is a more dramatic and intense piece, with the choir singing about the strength and resilience of the rose in the face of adversity. The third movement, "De ton rêve trop plein," is a haunting and introspective piece, with the choir singing about the overwhelming nature of dreams and the need to find balance and peace. The fourth movement, "La rose complète," is a lush and romantic setting of a poem about the completeness and perfection of the rose. The final movement, "Dirait-on," is perhaps the most well-known of the five, and has become a popular piece in the choral repertoire. It is a joyful and uplifting setting of a poem about the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of community. Overall, "La rose complète" is a beautiful and evocative composition that showcases Lauridsen's skill as a composer and his ability to create rich and expressive choral music. Its lush harmonies, intricate textures, and poetic lyrics make it a favorite among choral singers and audiences alike.

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