Composer

:

Alan Rawsthorne

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1957

Average_duration

:

8:35

Madame Chrysanthème is a suite composed by Alan Rawsthorne in 1955. The piece was premiered on 22nd November 1955 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult. The suite is based on the novel of the same name by Pierre Loti, which tells the story of a French naval officer who falls in love with a Japanese geisha named Madame Chrysanthème. The suite consists of four movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the story. The first movement, titled "The Arrival," is a lively and energetic piece that captures the excitement and anticipation of the officer's arrival in Japan. The second movement, "Madame Chrysanthème," is a slow and melancholic piece that reflects the officer's growing feelings for the geisha. The third movement, "The Wedding," is a lively and celebratory piece that captures the joy and festivity of the officer's wedding to Madame Chrysanthème. The final movement, "The Departure," is a somber and reflective piece that captures the officer's sadness and regret as he prepares to leave Japan and return to France. The suite is characterized by its use of traditional Japanese melodies and instrumentation, including the koto and shakuhachi. Rawsthorne's use of these elements gives the piece a distinctly Japanese flavor and helps to evoke the exotic and foreign setting of the story. Overall, Madame Chrysanthème is a beautiful and evocative suite that captures the essence of Pierre Loti's novel. Rawsthorne's use of traditional Japanese elements and his skillful orchestration make this piece a true masterpiece of 20th-century music.

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