Composer

:

Louis Vierne

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Average_duration

:

3:32

Louis Vierne's "Baudelaire Poems (5), Op. 45: No. 4, La Cloche fêlée" is a song cycle composed in 1916. The cycle is based on five poems by Charles Baudelaire, a French poet who was known for his dark and melancholic themes. The fourth poem in the cycle, "La Cloche fêlée" (The Cracked Bell), is a reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The song is set in a minor key and begins with a haunting piano introduction that sets the mood for the piece. The vocal line enters with a mournful melody that is full of longing and sadness. The first verse describes a cracked bell that tolls in the distance, a symbol of the passing of time and the approach of death. The second verse speaks of a dying sun that sinks into the horizon, another symbol of the fleeting nature of life. The middle section of the song features a more agitated and dissonant melody, as the poet reflects on the futility of human existence. The vocal line rises and falls dramatically, conveying a sense of desperation and hopelessness. The piano accompaniment is similarly intense, with rapid arpeggios and crashing chords. The final verse returns to the mournful melody of the opening, as the poet contemplates the inevitability of death. The vocal line is accompanied by a simple, repetitive piano figure that creates a sense of resignation and acceptance. The song ends with a final tolling of the cracked bell, a reminder of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Overall, "La Cloche fêlée" is a powerful and emotional song that captures the essence of Baudelaire's poetry. Vierne's music perfectly complements the dark and melancholic themes of the poem, creating a haunting and unforgettable musical experience.

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