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'''''Poèmes pour Mi''''' (Poems for Mi) is a [[song cycle]] for [[dramatic soprano]] and piano or orchestra by [[Olivier Messiaen]], composed in 1936 to 1937 and dedicated to the composer's first wife, [[Claire Delbos]]. The text are poems by the composer based on the [[New Testament]].
'''''Poèmes pour Mi''''' (Poems for Mi) is a [[song cycle]] for [[dramatic soprano]] and piano or orchestra by [[Olivier Messiaen]], composed in 1936 to 1937 and dedicated to his first wife, [[Claire Delbos]]. The text are poems by the composer based on the [[New Testament]].


== History ==
== History ==

Revision as of 14:13, 15 November 2018

Poèmes pour Mi
Song cycle by Olivier Messiaen
The Dauphiné, a region that inspired the author
TextPoems by the composer
LanguageFrench
Composed1936 (1936)–1937
DedicationClaire Delbos
Duration32 min
Movements9
Scoring
  • soprano
  • piano or orchestra

Poèmes pour Mi (Poems for Mi) is a song cycle for dramatic soprano and piano or orchestra by Olivier Messiaen, composed in 1936 to 1937 and dedicated to his first wife, Claire Delbos. The text are poems by the composer based on the New Testament.

History

Messiaen composed the work in 1936 to 1937, setting his own poems. He specifically called for a grand soprano dramatique (great dramatic soprano), probably with the voice of [[Marcelle Bunlet] in mind, who was a notable singer of Brünnhilde at the time.[1] Messian dedicated the cycle to his first wife, Claire Delbos,[2] a violinist and composer.[3] It is one of three major song cycles, with Harawi and Chants de Terre et de Ciel, and the only one which he also orchestrated. In this work, the rhythmic language uses very irregular durations, and certain processes dear to the author: added values, added points, non-downgradable rhythms, rhythmic canons [fr], plus some borrowings from Greek metrics and Hindu rhythmics. The "Mi" syllable of the title is a word of affection, imitating a diminutive, and the nickname of the dedicatee.

The first performance of the orchestra version took place at the salle Gaveau in Paris on 4 June 1937. The soprano Marcelle Bunlet[4] was accompanied by the orchestra of the Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, conducted by Roger Désormière.[2]

Text structure and scoring

In his poems, Messian paraphrases verses from the New Testament in "surrealist poetry". The poems can be seen as depicting first a couple's spiritual struggle, then their journey together.[3]

  1. Action de grâces
  2. Paysage
  3. La Maison
  4. Épouvante
  5. L'épouse
  6. Ta voix
  7. Les deux guerriers
  8. Le collier
  9. Prière exaucée

The work is scored for soprano solo, four flutes, three oboes (also Cor Anglais), two clarinets, three bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, percussion (three players) and strings. the duration is given as 32 minutes.[2]

Recordings

Both versions of the song cycle have been recorded.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Oliver, Michael (February 1987). "Messiaen Poèmes pour Mi". Gramophone. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) / Poèmes pour Mi (1936-1937) / pour grand soprano dramatique et orchestre" (in French). French National Library. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  3. ^ a b Schmid, Rebecca. "From our Repertoire: Messiaen's "Poèmes pour Mi"" (in French). French National Library. Retrieved 15 November 2018.
  4. ^ Marcelle Bunlet on BnF
  5. ^ Lise Arseguet on BnF
  6. ^ Maria Oràn on BnF
  7. ^ Olivier Messiaen / Poèmes pour Mi / Sept Haïkaï / Le Réveil des oiseaux Deutsche Grammophon]] (1997)

External links

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