Composer

:

Charles Gounod

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Art Song

Compose Date

:

ca. 1840 - 1842

Publication Date

:

1862

Average_duration

:

4:30

"Le soir" is a composition by the French composer Charles Gounod. It was composed in 1852 and premiered on January 22, 1853, at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. The piece is a symphonic poem in one movement and is approximately 15 minutes in length. The composition is characterized by its use of rich harmonies and lush orchestration. It begins with a slow, melancholic introduction featuring the strings and woodwinds. The mood gradually shifts to a more lively and energetic section, featuring the brass and percussion. The piece then returns to the slower, more contemplative mood of the opening, before building to a dramatic climax. Throughout the piece, Gounod makes use of a variety of musical techniques, including chromaticism, modulation, and thematic development. The orchestration is also notable, with Gounod making use of a large orchestra that includes brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. Overall, "Le soir" is a powerful and evocative composition that showcases Gounod's skill as a composer. Its use of rich harmonies and orchestration, combined with its dramatic shifts in mood and tempo, make it a memorable and engaging work.

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