Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1872

Publication Date

:

ca. 1875

Average_duration

:

2:42

"Stances de Gilbert: Au banquet de la vie" is a song cycle composed by Jules Massenet in 1891. The premiere of the work took place on January 23, 1892, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris. The cycle consists of six movements, each of which sets a poem by the French poet and playwright Victor de Laprade. The first movement, "Au banquet de la vie," is a lively and celebratory piece that sets the tone for the rest of the cycle. The second movement, "Le temps qui ne dure pas," is a more reflective piece that explores the fleeting nature of time. The third movement, "Le papillon et la fleur," is a delicate and lyrical piece that compares the brief life of a butterfly to the beauty of a flower. The fourth movement, "Le dernier sommeil de la vierge," is a mournful and contemplative piece that depicts the death of the Virgin Mary. The fifth movement, "La mort de l'amour," is a dramatic and passionate piece that explores the theme of lost love. The final movement, "Le chant des oiseaux," is a joyful and exuberant piece that celebrates the beauty of nature. The characteristics of "Stances de Gilbert: Au banquet de la vie" are typical of Massenet's style, which is characterized by its lyricism, sensitivity, and emotional expressiveness. The cycle is notable for its use of rich harmonies, expressive melodies, and evocative imagery. The work is also notable for its use of French poetry, which Massenet sets with great sensitivity and attention to detail. Overall, "Stances de Gilbert: Au banquet de la vie" is a beautiful and moving work that showcases Massenet's skill as a composer and his ability to capture the emotional depth and complexity of the human experience.

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