Composer

:

Hector Berlioz

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

before Nov 1846

Average_duration

:

2:35

Le Trébuchet, H. 113, Op. 13/3 is a composition by the French composer Hector Berlioz. It was composed in 1830 and premiered on December 9, 1830, at the Paris Conservatory. The piece is part of a larger work called Les Nuits d'été, Op. 7, which is a song cycle consisting of six songs. Le Trébuchet is the third song in the cycle and is set to a poem by Théophile Gautier. The poem tells the story of a woman who is waiting for her lover to return from war. She is sitting by a trebuchet, a medieval siege weapon, and is using it as a metaphor for her own heart, which is being tossed back and forth between hope and despair. The piece is written for a solo voice and piano accompaniment. It is in the key of F-sharp minor and is marked "Andantino quasi allegretto" (moderately slow, almost lively). The song is divided into three sections, each with its own distinct character. The first section begins with a gentle piano introduction, which sets the mood for the piece. The singer enters with a soft, mournful melody, which gradually builds in intensity as the trebuchet is described. The piano accompaniment becomes more complex, with arpeggios and trills adding to the sense of tension. The second section is more agitated, with the singer expressing her frustration and anxiety. The piano accompaniment becomes more dissonant, with harsh chords and angular melodies. The singer's voice rises to a climax, as she cries out for her lover to return. The final section returns to the gentler mood of the opening, with the singer reflecting on her situation. The piano accompaniment becomes more lyrical, with flowing arpeggios and a sense of resolution. The piece ends with a soft, peaceful chord, as the singer accepts her fate. Overall, Le Trébuchet is a powerful and emotional piece, which showcases Berlioz's skill as a composer of vocal music. The use of the trebuchet as a metaphor adds a unique and memorable element to the piece, and the shifting moods and complex piano accompaniment make it a challenging and rewarding work for performers.

More....