Composer

:

Gabriel Pierné

Genre

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1926

First Performance

:

October 24, 1926

Average_duration

:

04:59

Gabriel Pierné's "Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied No. 1" is a ballet in five movements that premiered on May 20, 1923, at the Paris Opéra. The ballet tells the story of Cydalise, a nymph who falls in love with a satyr named Chèvre-pied. The five movements are titled "Prélude," "Danse des Grâces," "Danse des Faunes," "Danse des Nymphes," and "Danse générale." The "Prélude" sets the scene with a dreamy, ethereal melody played by the strings and woodwinds. The "Danse des Grâces" features a delicate, flowing melody played by the flutes and harp, accompanied by the pizzicato of the strings. The "Danse des Faunes" is a lively, playful dance featuring the woodwinds and brass. The "Danse des Nymphes" is a slower, more sensual dance featuring the strings and harp. The final movement, "Danse générale," brings all the characters together in a lively, celebratory dance. Pierné's music for "Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied No. 1" is characterized by its lush, romantic melodies and colorful orchestration. He uses a wide range of instruments, including harp, celesta, and percussion, to create a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. The music is also notable for its use of polyrhythms and shifting meters, which give the dances a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability. Overall, "Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied No. 1" is a charming and whimsical ballet that showcases Pierné's skill as a composer and orchestrator. Its premiere was well-received, and it remains a popular work in the ballet repertoire today.

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