Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Vocal

Publication Date

:

1913

Average_duration

:

24:40

Expressions lyriques (10) is a collection of ten short pieces for solo piano composed by Jules Massenet. The work was composed in 1911 and premiered the same year in Paris. The ten movements are titled as follows: 1. Andante sostenuto 2. Allegro con fuoco 3. Andante 4. Allegro moderato 5. Andante 6. Allegro 7. Andante 8. Allegro moderato 9. Andante 10. Allegro con fuoco The overall character of the work is lyrical and expressive, as the title suggests. Each movement is relatively short, with most lasting around two minutes or less. The first movement, Andante sostenuto, sets the tone for the rest of the work with its gentle, flowing melody and delicate accompaniment. The second movement, Allegro con fuoco, is more energetic and virtuosic, with rapid runs and arpeggios. The third movement, Andante, returns to the lyrical character of the first movement, with a simple yet beautiful melody. The fourth movement, Allegro moderato, is more playful and light-hearted, with a bouncy rhythm and staccato chords. The fifth movement, Andante, is perhaps the most introspective of the collection, with a haunting melody and sparse accompaniment. The sixth movement, Allegro, is another energetic and virtuosic piece, with rapid runs and arpeggios reminiscent of the second movement. The seventh movement, Andante, is a gentle and flowing piece with a simple yet beautiful melody. The eighth movement, Allegro moderato, is similar in character to the fourth movement, with a playful and bouncy rhythm. The ninth movement, Andante, is another introspective piece, with a haunting melody and sparse accompaniment similar to the fifth movement. The final movement, Allegro con fuoco, is the most energetic and virtuosic of the collection, with rapid runs and arpeggios similar to the second and sixth movements. Overall, Expressions lyriques (10) is a beautiful and expressive collection of short piano pieces that showcase Massenet's lyrical and melodic style. Each movement is relatively simple in structure, but the melodies are memorable and the overall effect is quite moving.

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