Composer

:

Reynaldo Hahn

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Publication Date

:

1900

Average_duration

:

3:18

"Quand la nuit n'est pas étoilée" is a song cycle composed by Reynaldo Hahn in 1914. The premiere of the work took place on May 5, 1914, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Charles Panzéra as the soloist. The cycle consists of six songs, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first song, "L'heure exquise," is a delicate and intimate love song, with a simple and lyrical melody that perfectly captures the tenderness of the text. The second song, "Le printemps," is a lively and joyful celebration of spring, with a bright and energetic piano accompaniment that perfectly complements the exuberant vocal line. The third song, "Le rossignol des lilas," is a hauntingly beautiful nocturne, with a shimmering piano accompaniment that evokes the sound of a nightingale singing in a garden of lilacs. The fourth song, "L'heure blanche," is a gentle and introspective meditation on the passing of time, with a simple and elegant melody that perfectly captures the melancholy mood of the text. The fifth song, "Paysage triste," is a somber and atmospheric evocation of a desolate landscape, with a spare and haunting piano accompaniment that perfectly captures the bleakness of the text. The final song, "Infidélité," is a bitter and ironic commentary on the fickleness of love, with a dark and brooding piano accompaniment that perfectly complements the bitter and disillusioned vocal line. Overall, "Quand la nuit n'est pas étoilée" is a masterful example of Hahn's skill as a composer of art songs. The cycle showcases his ability to create music that perfectly captures the mood and meaning of the text, while also demonstrating his mastery of melody, harmony, and piano accompaniment.

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