Composer

:

Henri Duparc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

1870

Average_duration

:

4:21

Henri Duparc's "L'invitation au voyage" is a song cycle composed in 1870, with lyrics by Charles Baudelaire. The premiere of the work was in 1871, with Duparc accompanying the singer, Marie Escudier, on the piano. The cycle consists of three movements, each of which is characterized by its lush harmonies, expressive melodies, and evocative text setting. The first movement, "L'invitation au voyage," is a setting of Baudelaire's poem of the same name. The music is marked by its flowing, lyrical melody, which is supported by rich, chromatic harmonies. The text describes a dreamlike journey to an exotic land, and Duparc's music captures the sense of longing and desire that permeates the poem. The second movement, "La Beauté," is a setting of another Baudelaire poem. The music is characterized by its delicate, ethereal quality, with Duparc using a light touch on the piano to create a sense of floating. The text describes the beauty of a woman, and Duparc's music captures the sense of awe and wonder that the speaker feels in her presence. The final movement, "Le Balcon," is a setting of a third Baudelaire poem. The music is marked by its dramatic contrasts, with the piano alternating between soft, gentle passages and more forceful, passionate sections. The text describes a scene in which the speaker watches a woman on a balcony, and Duparc's music captures the sense of desire and longing that the speaker feels for her. Overall, "L'invitation au voyage" is a masterful example of Duparc's skill as a composer. The cycle showcases his ability to create music that is both expressive and evocative, and his use of rich harmonies and expressive melodies creates a sense of emotional depth and complexity that is rare in song cycles of this era.

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