Composer

:

Nadia Boulanger

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1906

Average_duration

:

2:03

"Un grand sommeil noir" is a composition for voice and piano by Nadia Boulanger. It was composed in 1911 and premiered in Paris in the same year. The piece is a setting of a poem by Paul Verlaine, which describes a dream-like state of deep sleep. The composition is divided into three movements, each of which reflects a different aspect of the poem. The first movement is slow and mournful, with a simple piano accompaniment that emphasizes the somber mood of the text. The second movement is more lively, with a faster tempo and a more complex piano part that suggests the restless energy of the dream state. The final movement returns to the slow, mournful mood of the first, with a simple piano accompaniment that gradually fades away as the voice sings the final lines of the poem. One of the most striking characteristics of "Un grand sommeil noir" is its use of dissonance and chromaticism. Boulanger's harmonies are often unsettling and unpredictable, creating a sense of unease that reflects the surreal nature of the text. The vocal line is also highly expressive, with wide leaps and sudden changes in dynamics that convey the emotional intensity of the poem. Overall, "Un grand sommeil noir" is a haunting and evocative composition that showcases Boulanger's skill as a composer and her deep understanding of the expressive potential of music.

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