Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1939

Average_duration

:

1:40

"La dame d'André" is a song cycle composed by Francis Poulenc in 1942. The premiere of the work took place on May 5, 1943, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with the composer himself at the piano and the baritone Pierre Bernac as the soloist. The cycle consists of four songs, each based on a poem by the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire. The first song, "Le pont," is a melancholic reflection on the passing of time and the transience of life. The second song, "Hôtel," is a humorous and satirical portrayal of a hotel room and its various occupants. The third song, "Fagnes de Wallonie," is a nostalgic evocation of the Belgian countryside. The final song, "Voyage à Paris," is a lively and playful tribute to the city of Paris. Poulenc's music in "La dame d'André" is characterized by its simplicity, clarity, and directness. The piano accompaniment is spare and understated, allowing the voice to take center stage. The vocal melodies are lyrical and expressive, with a wide range of emotions and moods. Poulenc's use of harmony is also notable, with frequent use of modal and chromatic inflections to create a sense of ambiguity and tension. Overall, "La dame d'André" is a masterful example of Poulenc's artistry as a composer of vocal music. Its combination of poetry and music creates a powerful and evocative experience for the listener, and its themes of love, loss, and nostalgia resonate deeply with audiences to this day.

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