Composer

:

Charles Mouton

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Sarabande

Average_duration

:

1:56

La Princesse is a sarabande for lute composed by Charles Mouton, a French Baroque composer and lutenist. The piece was composed in the late 17th century, around 1680, during the reign of Louis XIV. It is believed to have been written for the entertainment of the French court, where Mouton was employed as a musician. The piece is in the key of D minor and is written in a slow, stately tempo. It consists of a series of variations on a simple, melancholic melody, which is repeated throughout the piece. The variations are characterized by their intricate ornamentation and virtuosic flourishes, which showcase the lute's expressive capabilities. La Princesse is divided into three movements, each of which is marked by a change in tempo and mood. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a sense of longing and melancholy. The second movement is faster and more lively, with a sense of playfulness and joy. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful mood of the first, but with a sense of resolution and acceptance. The piece is notable for its use of the sarabande form, a popular dance form in the Baroque era. The sarabande is characterized by its slow, stately tempo and its emphasis on the second beat of each measure. Mouton's use of the sarabande form in La Princesse gives the piece a sense of elegance and refinement, which would have been well-suited to the French court. Overall, La Princesse is a beautiful and expressive piece of music, which showcases Mouton's skill as a composer and lutenist. Its intricate ornamentation and virtuosic flourishes make it a challenging piece to play, but its simple, melancholic melody and elegant sarabande form make it a timeless classic of the Baroque era.

More....