Composer

:

César Franck

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1845-ca. 1847

Average_duration

:

24:20

César Franck's "Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne" (What one hears on the mountain) is a symphonic poem composed in 1886. It premiered on March 16, 1893, at the Concerts Lamoureux in Paris, conducted by Charles Lamoureux. The piece is divided into three movements, each depicting a different scene on the mountain. The first movement, "Le lever du jour" (The sunrise), begins with a soft and mysterious introduction, representing the darkness before dawn. As the sun rises, the music becomes more lively and energetic, with the orchestra portraying the sounds of nature awakening. The second movement, "Le chemin de la montagne" (The mountain path), is a scherzo that depicts the journey up the mountain. The music is fast-paced and playful, with the orchestra imitating the sounds of footsteps and the rustling of leaves. The middle section of the movement is more serene, representing a moment of rest on the journey. The final movement, "Le sommet" (The summit), is the climax of the piece. The music is grand and majestic, with the orchestra portraying the awe-inspiring view from the top of the mountain. The movement features a prominent brass section, representing the power and majesty of the mountain. Overall, "Ce qu'on entend sur la montagne" is a prime example of Franck's use of cyclic form, where themes from earlier movements are revisited and developed in later movements. The piece also showcases Franck's skill in orchestration, with each instrument used to its fullest potential to create a vivid and immersive musical landscape.

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