Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1960

Average_duration

:

1:05

"La puce" is a song composed by Francis Poulenc in 1924. It was premiered on May 6, 1924, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Pierre Bernac as the soloist. The song is part of a larger collection of works called "Le Bestiaire ou Cortège d'Orphée" (The Bestiary or Orpheus' Procession), which consists of thirteen short pieces for voice and piano, each one inspired by a different animal. "La puce" is the second piece in the collection and is based on a poem by Guillaume Apollinaire. The poem describes a flea jumping from one person to another, causing irritation and discomfort. Poulenc's music captures the playful and mischievous nature of the flea, with its quick and jumpy rhythms and unexpected harmonic shifts. The song is in ABA form, with the A sections being fast and lively and the B section being slower and more lyrical. The piano part is particularly virtuosic, with rapid arpeggios and staccato chords imitating the movements of the flea. The vocal line is also highly rhythmic, with frequent syncopations and unexpected accents. Overall, "La puce" is a charming and whimsical piece that showcases Poulenc's skill as a composer of vocal music. Its playful character and technical demands make it a popular choice for recitals and competitions.

More....