Composer

:

Jean Cras

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1923

Average_duration

:

7:58

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

'Fontaines' is a song cycle composed by the French composer Jean Cras. It was composed in 1923 and premiered in Paris in the same year. The cycle consists of four movements, each of which is based on a poem by the French poet Paul-Jean Toulet. The first movement, 'Fontaines', is a lively and playful piece that captures the joy and energy of a fountain. The piano accompaniment is light and bubbly, while the vocal line is full of leaps and runs that mimic the movement of water. The second movement, 'Le Fleuve', is a more contemplative piece that reflects on the power and majesty of a river. The piano accompaniment is more subdued, with a steady, flowing rhythm that evokes the movement of the water. The vocal line is more lyrical and expressive, with long, sweeping phrases that convey the grandeur of the river. The third movement, 'Le Torrent', is a dramatic and intense piece that captures the wild and turbulent nature of a mountain stream. The piano accompaniment is fast and furious, with cascading arpeggios and rapid-fire chords that mimic the rushing water. The vocal line is equally intense, with urgent, declamatory phrases that convey the danger and excitement of the stream. The final movement, 'La Mer', is a serene and peaceful piece that reflects on the vastness and beauty of the sea. The piano accompaniment is gentle and undulating, with a shimmering quality that evokes the movement of the waves. The vocal line is more contemplative and introspective, with long, sustained notes that convey the vastness and mystery of the sea. Overall, 'Fontaines' is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Cras's skill as a composer. The cycle is characterized by its vivid imagery, expressive melodies, and virtuosic piano accompaniment, and it remains a beloved work in the French art song repertoire.

More....