Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Air

Compose Date

:

1927 - 1928

Average_duration

:

2:11

"Air grave, FP 46/3" is a solo piano piece composed by Francis Poulenc in 1934. It was premiered on May 22, 1934, by the composer himself at the Salle Gaveau in Paris. The piece is part of a set of three pieces titled "Trois mouvements perpétuels" (Three Perpetual Movements), which also includes "Mouvement perpétuel No. 1" and "Mouvement perpétuel No. 2." "Air grave" is the third and final movement of the set. The title "Air grave" translates to "serious air" in English, and the piece lives up to its name with its somber and melancholic tone. The piece is written in the key of C minor and is marked "Lent" (slow) and "expressif" (expressive). The piece begins with a simple and mournful melody played in the right hand, accompanied by a slow and steady left-hand accompaniment. The melody is then repeated with slight variations, building in intensity and emotion. The middle section of the piece features a more complex and dissonant melody, with the left hand playing a series of arpeggios. The piece then returns to the original melody, which is played with even more intensity and passion than before. Overall, "Air grave" is a beautiful and haunting piece that showcases Poulenc's ability to convey deep emotion through his music. Its slow and mournful melody is a stark contrast to the lively and playful melodies of the other two movements in the set, making it a standout piece in Poulenc's repertoire.

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