Composer

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Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Keyboard

Average_duration

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10:55

"Prédication aux oiseaux de St.-François d'Assise (after Liszt)" is a composition by the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. It was composed in 1911 and premiered on January 22, 1912, in Paris. The piece is based on a section of Franz Liszt's "St. Francis of Assisi: Sermon to the Birds," which is part of his "Legends" cycle. The composition is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Introduction," sets the scene with a gentle, flowing melody that evokes the peaceful surroundings of the forest where St. Francis is preaching to the birds. The second movement, "Sermon," is the heart of the piece. It begins with a solemn, chant-like melody that gradually builds in intensity as St. Francis delivers his message to the birds. The music becomes more animated and lively as the birds respond to his words, singing and chirping in a joyful chorus. The final movement, "Conclusion," returns to the peaceful mood of the opening, with a gentle melody that fades away into silence. The piece is characterized by Saint-Saëns' skillful use of orchestration and his ability to create vivid musical images. The opening melody, played by the strings and woodwinds, creates a sense of calm and serenity, while the lively bird calls and trills in the second movement are portrayed by the flutes, piccolo, and clarinets. The use of the harp and celesta adds a magical, ethereal quality to the music, evoking the mystical nature of St. Francis' message. Overall, "Prédication aux oiseaux de St.-François d'Assise (after Liszt)" is a beautiful and evocative piece of music that captures the spirit of St. Francis' message of peace and harmony with nature. It is a testament to Saint-Saëns' skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both technically impressive and emotionally moving.

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