Composer

:

Maurice Ravel

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1893

Average_duration

:

5:06

Maurice Ravel's "Ballade de la reine morte d'aimer" is a song cycle composed in 1899. It premiered on May 5, 1901, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris. The cycle consists of three movements, each based on a poem by Roland de Marès. The first movement, "La reine morte d'aimer," is a mournful lament for a dead queen who died of a broken heart. The music is slow and melancholy, with a haunting melody that captures the sadness and despair of the queen's tragic fate. The second movement, "La belle en prison," tells the story of a beautiful woman who is imprisoned in a tower. The music is more lively and playful, with a sprightly melody that captures the woman's spirit and resilience in the face of adversity. The final movement, "Le tombeau des regrets," is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The music is slow and contemplative, with a mournful melody that captures the sense of loss and regret that comes with the passing of time. Overall, "Ballade de la reine morte d'aimer" is a hauntingly beautiful cycle that showcases Ravel's mastery of melody and his ability to capture complex emotions in music. The cycle is notable for its use of impressionistic harmonies and textures, which create a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly complements the poetic imagery of the texts.

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