Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1903 - 1905

Publication Date

:

1912

Average_duration

:

2:41

Jules Massenet's "Oh! si les fleurs avaient des yeux" is a song for voice and piano, composed in 1880. The premiere of the song is not well-documented, but it is known that it was published by G. Hartmann in Paris in the same year. The song is in the key of F major and consists of three distinct sections. The first section is marked "Andante" and is characterized by a flowing, lyrical melody in the piano accompaniment. The vocal line is similarly melodic, with long, sustained notes that emphasize the beauty of the text. The second section is marked "Allegro moderato" and is more rhythmic and lively than the first. The piano accompaniment features a playful, syncopated rhythm that contrasts with the more straightforward melody of the vocal line. The final section returns to the slower tempo of the opening, with a melody that is more ornate and complex than before. The text of the song is a poem by Victor Hugo, which describes the beauty of flowers and imagines what it would be like if they had eyes to see the world around them. The lyrics are full of vivid imagery and metaphor, and Massenet's music captures the dreamy, romantic quality of the text. The song is a perfect example of Massenet's skill at setting poetry to music, and it remains a beloved piece in the repertoire of French art song.

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