Composer

:

Camille Saint-Saëns

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1884

Movement_count

:

2

Movement ....

Camille Saint-Saëns composed his 'Choruses (2), Op. 71' in 1895. The piece premiered on May 5, 1895, at the Salle Pleyel in Paris, with the composer conducting. The work consists of two movements, each with its own distinct character and style. The first movement, titled "Les Fleurs et les Arbres" (The Flowers and the Trees), is a setting of a poem by Victor Hugo. The music is light and delicate, with a flowing melody that evokes the beauty of nature. The choir sings in unison for much of the piece, with occasional harmonies and counterpoint adding depth and texture. The accompaniment is provided by a piano, which plays a simple, repetitive pattern that supports the choir without overpowering it. The second movement, titled "Les Étangs" (The Ponds), is a setting of a poem by Théophile Gautier. This movement is much more dramatic and intense than the first, with a darker, more complex harmonic language. The choir sings in four-part harmony, with frequent shifts in texture and dynamics. The piano accompaniment is more active and varied than in the first movement, with arpeggios and syncopated rhythms adding to the sense of urgency and tension. Overall, 'Choruses (2), Op. 71' is a beautiful and expressive work that showcases Saint-Saëns' skill as a composer of choral music. The two movements are quite different in character, but they complement each other well and create a satisfying whole. The piece is not as well-known as some of Saint-Saëns' other works, but it is a gem that deserves to be heard and appreciated.

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