The French mélodie blossomed after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and was boosted by the founding of the Société Nationale de Musique, established by composers like Duparc, Fauré, and Saint-Saëns.
Composer Biography
Reynaldo Hahn, born in Venezuela and raised in Paris, was a celebrated figure in Belle Époque salons, admired by Marcel Proust and others, often singing while accompanying himself on the piano.
Composer Biography
Cécile Chaminade, a successful pianist, gained popularity through her compositions being published in women's magazines.
Interpretation
Philippe Jaroussky chose a pronunciation for this recording that closely matches modern spoken French to make the words resonate naturally with listeners.
Performer Biography
Philippe Jaroussky, a counter-tenor, typically performs Baroque repertoire but has ventured into French mélodie on this album.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Unlike the German lied, which found inspiration in nature, the French mélodie drew its essence from the refined atmosphere of conservatories and music salons.
Compositional Technique
Paul Dukas's only mélodie, a setting of a Ronsard text, combines the classical form of a madrigal with unusual and daring harmonies.
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