Composer

:

Nadia Boulanger

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1909

Average_duration

:

3:31

Nadia Boulanger was a French composer, conductor, and teacher who lived from 1887 to 1979. She was one of the most influential music educators of the 20th century, and her students included some of the most famous composers of the time, such as Aaron Copland, Philip Glass, and Quincy Jones. Boulanger was also a prolific composer in her own right, and one of her most famous works is the song "Chanson ('Les lilas sont en folie')." "Chanson ('Les lilas sont en folie')" was composed by Boulanger in 1918, and it premiered in Paris in the same year. The song is a setting of a poem by the French poet Paul Verlaine, and it is part of a larger collection of Verlaine settings that Boulanger composed during this period. The song is written for voice and piano, and it is characterized by its simple, lyrical melody and its lush, romantic harmonies. The song is divided into three movements, each of which corresponds to a different section of Verlaine's poem. The first movement is marked "Très modéré" (very moderate), and it begins with a gentle, flowing piano introduction that sets the mood for the entire song. The vocal line enters with the first line of the poem, "Les lilas sont en folie" (the lilacs are crazy), and it is characterized by its smooth, legato phrasing and its expressive use of dynamics. The second movement is marked "Plus lent" (slower), and it features a more introspective and melancholy mood. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, and the vocal line is marked by its long, sustained notes and its use of subtle vibrato. The text of this section of the poem is more introspective and philosophical, and Boulanger's music reflects this with its introspective and contemplative character. The final movement is marked "Animé" (animated), and it features a more lively and energetic mood. The piano accompaniment is more rhythmic and driving, and the vocal line is marked by its lively, staccato phrasing and its use of playful melodic motifs. The text of this section of the poem is more playful and whimsical, and Boulanger's music reflects this with its lively and playful character. Overall, "Chanson ('Les lilas sont en folie')" is a beautiful and expressive song that showcases Boulanger's skill as a composer and her deep understanding of the French art song tradition. Its simple, lyrical melody and lush, romantic harmonies make it a favorite among singers and audiences alike, and it remains one of Boulanger's most beloved works to this day.

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