Composer

:

César Cui

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

César Cui's "Poèmes (4) de Jean Richepin, Op. 44" is a song cycle composed for voice and piano. The cycle consists of four movements, each based on a poem by the French poet Jean Richepin. The cycle was composed in 1899 and premiered in the same year in St. Petersburg, Russia. The first movement, "La mer," is a dramatic and powerful piece that captures the vastness and power of the sea. The piano accompaniment is full of rolling waves and crashing surf, while the vocal line soars above, expressing the awe and wonder of the speaker. The second movement, "Le manoir de Rosemonde," is a haunting and melancholy piece that tells the story of a haunted mansion and the tragic love affair that took place there. The piano accompaniment is sparse and eerie, while the vocal line is full of longing and sadness. The third movement, "Le cimetière marin," is a contemplative and introspective piece that reflects on the nature of life and death. The piano accompaniment is gentle and meditative, while the vocal line is full of philosophical musings and existential questions. The final movement, "Le jour des morts," is a somber and mournful piece that reflects on the passing of loved ones and the inevitability of death. The piano accompaniment is solemn and mournful, while the vocal line is full of grief and sorrow. Overall, Cui's "Poèmes (4) de Jean Richepin, Op. 44" is a powerful and emotional song cycle that showcases the composer's skill at setting poetry to music. The cycle is full of rich harmonies, evocative melodies, and expressive vocal lines that capture the essence of Richepin's poetry.

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