Le jardin clos
Le jardin clos, Op. 106, is a song cycle by Gabriel Fauré, of eight mélodies for voice and piano. It is based on eight poems from the collection Entrevisions by Charles van Lerberghe.[1] Fauré composed the cycle in 1914, starting it in Germany and continuing in Switzerland and France after he fled Germany on the outbreak of World War I.[2]
Composition
The song cycle was composed over the period July to November 1914.[1] Fauré wrote the first song, "Exaucement", during his stay of 21–30 July at Bad Ems,[3] where he hoped to improve his health, particularly his hearing impairment.[4] Then, with war breaking out, he made his way from Germany back to France via Switzerland, travelling via Saint-Louis, Basel and Geneva.[2] Fauré continued to compose the cycle at Geneva and Paris,[5] and also at Pau, which he visited in October.[3]
Settings
Fauré's settings are as follows:[1]
- "Exaucement"
- "Quand tu plonges tes yeux dans mes yeux"
- "La messagère"
- "Je me poserai sur ton cœur"
- "Dans la nymphée"
- "Dans la pénombre"
- "Il m'est cher, amour, le bandeau"
- "Inscription sur le sable"
Premiere
Le jardin clos had its premiere at the Concerts Casella on 28 January 1915, sung by Claire Croiza. The pianist was Fauré.[6]
The song cycle was published by Durand in May 1915.[7] Fauré gave the songs individual dedications; "Dans la nymphée" was dedicated to Croiza.[1]
References
Sources
- Johnson, Graham (2009). Gabriel Fauré: The Songs and their Poets. London: Guildhall School of Music and Drama. ISBN 978-0-7546-5960-0.
- Nectoux, Jean-Michel (2004). Gabriel Fauré: A Musical Life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-61695-6.
- Orledge, Robert (1979). Gabriel Fauré. London: Eulenburg Books. ISBN 0-903873-40-0.
External links
- Le jardin clos: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- French texts and English translations, at The Lied, Art Song, and Choral Texts Page