Composer

:

Morten Lauridsen

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chanson

Compose Date

:

1993

Average_duration

:

4:16

Dirait-On (Les Chansons des Roses No. 5) is a choral composition by Morten Lauridsen, an American composer and conductor. The piece was composed in 1993 and premiered in the same year by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Paul Salamunovich. Dirait-On is the fifth movement of Lauridsen's song cycle Les Chansons des Roses, which is based on poems by Rainer Maria Rilke. The cycle consists of five movements, each of which is a setting of a different Rilke poem. Dirait-On is the only movement in the cycle that is not a direct translation of the original poem, but rather a loose adaptation of the text. The piece is characterized by its simple, yet haunting melody and lush harmonies. The text of the piece is in French and translates to "So they say," and the lyrics are a reflection on the fleeting nature of beauty and the passing of time. The melody is based on a French folk song, and Lauridsen's harmonies give the piece a dreamy, ethereal quality. Dirait-On has become one of Lauridsen's most popular and frequently performed works, and has been arranged for various ensembles, including piano and solo voice. The piece has been praised for its beauty and accessibility, and has been described as a modern classic of choral music.

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