Composer

:

Claude Debussy

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1898

Average_duration

:

2:01

'Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder!, L. 92/1' is a song composed by Claude Debussy in 1898. It was premiered on May 5, 1898, at the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris, with the famous French soprano Mary Garden as the soloist. The song is the first movement of Debussy's three-song cycle titled 'Trois Chansons de Bilitis', which is based on the poems of Pierre Louÿs. The song is written for solo voice and piano and is characterized by its sensuous and languid melody. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with Debussy using subtle harmonies and impressionistic textures to create a dreamy and ethereal atmosphere. The vocal line is equally delicate, with the soprano singing in a hushed and intimate tone, as if whispering a secret. The text of the song is taken from Louÿs' 'Chansons de Bilitis', a collection of poems that purport to be the work of a female poet from ancient Greece. The poem describes the beauty of a young woman, and the pleasure that comes from simply looking at her. The lyrics are full of sensual imagery, with references to flowers, perfumes, and the warmth of the sun. Overall, 'Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder!' is a quintessential example of Debussy's impressionistic style, with its emphasis on atmosphere, mood, and suggestion rather than explicit musical or textual meaning. The song is a masterpiece of French art song, and remains a popular choice for sopranos and pianists alike.

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