Poèmes pour Mi

Poèmes pour Mi
Song cycle
The Dauphiné, a region that inspired the author
Text	Poems by the composer
Language	French
Composed	1936 (1936)–1937
Scoring	soprano orchestra or piano

Poèmes pour Mi (Poems for Mi) is a song cycle for dramatic soprano and orchestra by Olivier Messiaen, composed in 1936 to 1937 and dedicated to the composer's first wife, Claire Delbos. There is also a version for soprano and piano. The text is a poem by the composer.

History

With Harawi and Chants de Terre et de Ciel, this work is part of three major song cycles, for soprano and piano. Only, Poems for Mi was 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, plus some borrowings from Greek metrics and Hindu rhythmics. The "Mi" syllable of the title is a word of affection, imitating a diminutive, and under which is hidden the name of the dedicatee: Claire Delbos.

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

Structure

First Book

• 1. Action de grâces
• 2. Paysage
• 3. La Maison
• 4. Épouvante

Second Book

• 5. L'épouse
• 6. Ta voix
• 7. Les deux guerriers
• 8. Le collier
• 9. Prière exaucée

Scoring

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.

Recordings

• Piano version: Lise Arseguet, with Messian at the piano
• Françoise Pollet, Cleveland Orchestra, conducted by Pierre Boulez, Deutsche Grammophon
• Piano version: Maria Oràn, with pianist Yvonne Loriod. (Erato Records, 1988)

External links

• File on the IRCAM
• Poèmes pour Mi – Olivier Messiaen
• Olivier Messiaen, Poèmes pour Mi (Orán/Loriod) on YouTube