Composer

:

Etienne-Nicolas Méhul

Genre

:

Band

Style

:

Band Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1794

Average_duration

:

3:27

The "Chant du départ" is a patriotic song composed by Etienne-Nicolas Méhul in 1794. It was written to celebrate the victories of the French Revolutionary Army and to inspire soldiers to fight for their country. The song was premiered on July 14, 1794, during the Festival of the Supreme Being, a national holiday created by the revolutionary government. The "Chant du départ" is scored for chorus and wind band, and it is divided into six movements. The first movement is a slow introduction, featuring a solemn melody played by the wind instruments. The second movement is a march, with a lively and energetic rhythm that evokes the spirit of the soldiers. The third movement is a trio, featuring a beautiful melody played by the oboes and clarinets. The fourth movement is a fugue, with a complex and intricate counterpoint that showcases Méhul's mastery of composition. The fifth movement is a reprise of the march, with the addition of a new melody played by the trumpets. The final movement is a coda, featuring a triumphant and majestic melody played by the full band and chorus. The "Chant du départ" is characterized by its powerful and stirring melodies, its use of counterpoint and fugue, and its patriotic and revolutionary lyrics. The song became immensely popular in France, and it was often performed at military parades and public events. It was also adopted as the official anthem of the French Army in 1804, and it remained in use until 1870, when it was replaced by the "Marseillaise". Today, the "Chant du départ" is still considered one of the greatest works of French band music, and it is often performed by military bands and wind ensembles around the world.

More....