Composer

:

Albert Roussel

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

1908

Average_duration

:

17:57

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

"Le Marchand de sable qui passe, Op. 13" is a symphonic poem composed by Albert Roussel in 1918. The piece was premiered on May 23, 1918, in Paris, by the Orchestre Lamoureux conducted by Camille Chevillard. The piece is divided into three movements, each depicting a different scene. The first movement, "Le Marchand de sable qui passe" (The Sandman who passes by), is a slow and dreamy introduction, featuring a solo violin and harp. The second movement, "La Danse du rêve" (The Dance of the Dream), is a lively and rhythmic dance, featuring a prominent percussion section. The final movement, "Le Réveil" (The Awakening), is a triumphant and energetic finale, featuring a brass fanfare and a soaring melody. Roussel's "Le Marchand de sable qui passe" is characterized by its use of impressionistic harmonies and orchestration, as well as its vivid and imaginative programmatic content. The piece is inspired by the fairy tale of the Sandman, who visits children at night and sprinkles sand in their eyes to help them sleep. Roussel's music captures the magical and mysterious quality of this story, with its shimmering textures, delicate melodies, and evocative imagery. Overall, "Le Marchand de sable qui passe" is a masterful example of Roussel's unique style, which blends elements of French impressionism with a more modernist approach to harmony and form. The piece remains a beloved work in the orchestral repertoire, admired for its beauty, originality, and imaginative power.

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