Composer

:

Maurice Ravel

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1913

Average_duration

:

3:10

Maurice Ravel's "Surgi de la croupe et du bond (Poèmes de Mallarmé No. 3)" is a song cycle composed in 1913. The piece is based on three poems by the French symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé, and is part of a larger collection of songs called "Trois poèmes de Mallarmé." The premiere of the piece took place on May 5, 1914, in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone singer Maurice Renaud. The three movements of the piece are titled "Soupir," "Placet futile," and "Éventail." Each movement is characterized by Ravel's use of impressionistic harmonies and textures, as well as his attention to the nuances of the French language. The first movement, "Soupir," is a delicate and introspective piece that features a haunting melody and a sparse accompaniment. The second movement, "Placet futile," is more lively and playful, with a syncopated rhythm and a sense of whimsy. The final movement, "Éventail," is a sensual and evocative piece that features a lush and romantic melody. Throughout the piece, Ravel's use of harmony and texture is particularly notable. He employs a wide range of tonal colors and textures, from the delicate and ethereal to the bold and dramatic. His use of impressionistic harmonies and subtle shifts in tonality create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both evocative and mysterious. Overall, "Surgi de la croupe et du bond (Poèmes de Mallarmé No. 3)" is a masterful example of Ravel's skill as a composer. His attention to detail and his ability to create a rich and complex musical landscape make this piece a true masterpiece of the French art song repertoire.

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