Composer

:

Gabriel Fauré

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1861 - 1862

Publication Date

:

1869 - 1871

Average_duration

:

3:57

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Gabriel Fauré's 'Songs (2) for voice & piano, Op. 1' is a collection of two songs composed in 1861 when Fauré was just 16 years old. The songs were premiered in 1862 at a concert organized by the Société Nationale de Musique in Paris. The two songs in the collection are 'Au bord de l'eau' and 'Lydia'. The first song, 'Au bord de l'eau' (By the Water's Edge), is a setting of a poem by Sully Prudhomme. The song is in the key of F-sharp minor and has a flowing, lyrical melody that is supported by a gently rippling piano accompaniment. The song's mood is melancholic and introspective, with the narrator reflecting on the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of loss. The second song, 'Lydia', is a setting of a poem by Paul de Musset. The song is in the key of E-flat major and has a more upbeat and playful character than 'Au bord de l'eau'. The melody is light and airy, with a lively piano accompaniment that evokes the skipping and dancing of the titular character. The song's lyrics describe Lydia as a carefree and charming young woman who captivates everyone she meets. Despite their youthfulness, the 'Songs (2) for voice & piano, Op. 1' already display many of the characteristics that would come to define Fauré's mature style. Both songs feature a strong sense of melody and a delicate, nuanced approach to harmony and rhythm. Fauré's piano accompaniments are also notable for their subtlety and restraint, providing a supportive backdrop for the voice without overpowering it. Overall, the 'Songs (2) for voice & piano, Op. 1' are a charming and accomplished early work by one of France's greatest composers. Despite their relative obscurity compared to Fauré's later works, they remain a testament to his prodigious talent and his enduring legacy in the world of classical music.

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