Jules Massenet is a French composer of those considered "minor", who lived between 1842 and 1912 and not talk too much, or studied too much, not stand out too much ... until we came upon a small piece of operatic repertoire that has become almost exclusively of chamber music by the frequency with which they usually performed and the large number and variety of versions that have written it.
Massenet lived and died in France. He began studying piano in his mother's hand, and at 10 he entered the Paris Conservatory, where he completed his musical training and worked the rest of his life as professor of composition. Only left his country to complete his studies in Italy, where he was fortunate to meet one of the greats of European Romanticism: Franz Liszt (incidentally, who first introduced Massenet which later became his wife). Massenet
devoted his life to teaching and practice of composition, and although he wrote works of many genres, noted mainly for his opera production. Wrote a total of 25 operas, which include "Manon" and "Werther."
During his life he had quite a reputation, people used to come expectantly at each of its releases, and was always highly regarded in his country.
The piece I bring is really an intermission (Small instrumental piece of music that connected with the next act in the course of the opera "Thais"). It is written in D major, and originally intended for violin, harp and orchestra. For you to understand this piece of music I explain briefly the argument of the opera:
Long ago, in Egypt under the Greeks, lived a beautiful courtesan named Thais worshiper of Venus . The monk Atanael, knowledge, decided to convert to Christianity, and succeeds.
But over time, the monk's intentions change and decides to confess his love when he goes to the convent where she lives in retreat, at which point the girl dying in the middle of a divine vision, God's punishment for trying to woo the monk. So she dies, leaving Atanael alone, desperate and asking God for forgiveness.
This work is called "Meditation" because it is the time when Thais broods on the proposal of the monk to stop being pagan and become Christian.
A priori, perhaps the title of this book does not tell you anything, but to hear it is very easy for reconozcais because has been versioned a thousand times, and all kinds of instruments. The main melody is considered one of the most inspired and intimate French operatic repertoire ....¡ Massenet never imagined that it would recall about mainly by this piece of music!
The version you hear is good: for violin, harp and orchestra, and played by the great violinist Itzhak Perlman. I think you will find it more convenient to have the video from Youtube to go to the ipod the margin.
Hala, enjoy! Well
0 comments:
Post a Comment