Composer

:

Lili Boulanger

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1912

Average_duration

:

5:03

"Le Retour d'Ulysse" is a symphonic poem composed by Lili Boulanger in 1917. It was premiered on March 17, 1917, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, conducted by Désiré-Émile Inghelbrecht. The piece is divided into three movements, each depicting a different aspect of Ulysses' return home after the Trojan War. The first movement, "Au large," begins with a slow, mysterious introduction that gradually builds in intensity as Ulysses sets sail. The music becomes more turbulent as the ship encounters storms and rough seas, but eventually calms as Ulysses reaches the open sea. The second movement, "L'île des Sirènes," is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of Ulysses' encounter with the sirens. The music is ethereal and otherworldly, with shimmering strings and delicate woodwinds. The sirens' song is represented by a solo violin, which weaves in and out of the texture. The final movement, "Le Retour triomphant," is a triumphant celebration of Ulysses' return home. The music is bold and heroic, with fanfares and triumphant brass. The movement builds to a thrilling climax as Ulysses is reunited with his wife and son. Throughout the piece, Boulanger's use of orchestral color is particularly striking. She employs a wide range of textures and timbres, from the delicate shimmer of the harp to the thunderous roar of the full orchestra. Her use of dissonance and chromaticism also adds a modernist edge to the piece, reflecting the influence of her teacher, Gabriel Fauré. Overall, "Le Retour d'Ulysse" is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Boulanger's considerable talents as a composer. Despite her tragically short life (she died at the age of 24), she left behind a body of work that continues to inspire and captivate audiences today.

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