Concert champêtre (Poulenc)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Concert champêtre FP 49 is a harpsichord concert by the French composer Francis Poulenc .

Emergence

The work was composed between 1927 and 1928 and was written for the Polish harpsichordist and pianist Wanda Landowska , whom he met from his patron Princess Edmond de Polignac . Poulenc had previously studied the works of the old masters at Nadia Boulanger's suggestion , which gave him the idea of ​​writing a concerto for the harpsichord. This was an instrument for solo concerts that had not been in use since the Baroque , as the successor instrument, the piano, had become the determining and topical instrument for solo concerts since Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . In a way, the concert pays homage to the French baroque composer Louis Couperin .

To the music

1st movement: Allegro molto

The movement begins with a chord progression in the orchestra, which is answered by the horns. Then the harpsichord begins with a few dissonant chords, which is extremely unusual for the usual baroque harpsichord sound. After this slow beginning of the movement, the harpsichord introduces a jumpy and amusing theme in the baroque style: this is accompanied by the orchestra with modern harmony shortly afterwards, which results in an unusual and interesting sound. This passage is also over quickly and the movement is continued by a fanfare motif of the trumpets. The harpsichord answers with some rhythmically shifted chords and develops a Chaconnet theme in the style of Couperin from the fanfare motif . In this freely designed sentence, Poulenc introduces further themes of various characters before the joyful main theme sounds again.

2nd movement: Andante

The main theme of the Andante, like the Larghetto from the Concerto for Two Pianos , is reminiscent of Mozart . The delicate theme is presented in the orchestra and ceremoniously played around by the harpsichord when it returns. A violent bang interrupts the lyrical mood. The harpsichord answers solo with a unison motif , which is shortly followed by the flutes. From this the return of the main theme develops, which now even sounds in major.

3rd movement: Finale

The final movement is opened solo by the harpsichord. A baroque dance sounds, which the orchestra takes up shortly afterwards. A lively and excited hustle and bustle develops quickly, which is enriched by a contemporary harmony. Many changes in tempo are characteristic of the movement. In the middle of the movement the starting motif of the first movement reappears, which is supplemented by a restless chord motif. The movement ends in the piano of the harpsichord.

effect

With the Harpsichord Concerto, Poulenc wrote a fresh, sophisticated and in a certain way cheeky work. The sound of the harpsichord, which is unusual for works of the 20th century, is associated with the sometimes sharp harmony of the time as well as with baroque clay figures. The concert was premiered on May 3, 1928 in Paris with Wanda Landowska on the harpsichord and, due to its fresh and unusual sound, became one of the composer's greatest successes.