Composer

:

Gabriel Fauré

Genre

:

Vocal

Compose Date

:

1892-1894

Publication Date

:

1894

Average_duration

:

2:38

"La lune blanche luit dans les bois" is a song composed by Gabriel Fauré, one of the most prominent French composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is the third song in his song cycle "La Bonne Chanson," Op. 61, which was composed between 1892 and 1894. The premiere of the song cycle took place on December 4, 1894, in Paris, with Fauré accompanying the singer, Jeanne Raunay, on the piano. "La lune blanche luit dans les bois" is a setting of a poem by Paul Verlaine, a prominent French poet of the Symbolist movement. The poem describes a peaceful night scene in which the moon shines brightly in the woods, casting a serene and calming light. Fauré's music captures the mood of the poem perfectly, with its gentle and flowing melody, delicate harmonies, and subtle shifts in tonality. The song is in the key of F-sharp major and is marked "Andante molto moderato." It is divided into three sections, with the first and third sections being in the same key and the middle section modulating to the key of D-flat major. The piano accompaniment is sparse and delicate, with arpeggiated chords and gentle figurations that support the vocal line without overpowering it. The vocal line is characterized by its lyrical and flowing melody, which is perfectly suited to the peaceful and serene mood of the poem. The melody is marked by subtle shifts in tonality and dynamics, which add to the overall sense of calm and tranquility. The vocal range is relatively narrow, with the highest note being a G-sharp above middle C, which adds to the intimacy and delicacy of the song. Overall, "La lune blanche luit dans les bois" is a beautiful and evocative song that perfectly captures the mood of Verlaine's poem. Its gentle melody, delicate harmonies, and subtle shifts in tonality make it a perfect example of Fauré's unique style, which is characterized by its understated elegance and emotional depth.

More....