Francis Poulenc ‒ Mélancolie, FP 105
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- Опубликовано: 15 май 2016
- Francis Poulenc (1899 - 1963), Mélancolie, FP 105 (1940)
Performed by Pascal Rogé
Written in 1940, Mélancolie is one of Poulenc's most nostalgic pieces.
Francis Poulenc first sprang to the attention of Parisian musical circles as a member of ‘Les Six’, so named by the critic Henri Collet. Les Six began to feature together (initially as ‘Les Nouveaux jeunes’) in the same concert programmes in 1917 and they found a ready spokesman in Jean Cocteau who produced his manifesto Le Coq et l’arlequin the following year. This aesthetic document rejected romanticism and demanded that music should be overtly nationalistic and should shun foreign influences, particularly the excesses of Wagner. Negro art, the frivolous music of Satie, the music of the circus and jazz band, the primitive, machines, brevity and straightforwardness were all considered art forms or values worthy of admiration and emulation. Everyday life was considered to be a powerful subject matter by Cocteau; but, despite despising the refinement, sophistication and decorative excesses of the nineteenth century, Les Six enjoyed a ‘gastronomic preference for under-done meat and extra-dry wines’.
By 1921 the group had begun to lose cohesion; of all the members of Les Six, Francis Poulenc remained true to the group’s general frivolity; the other members had drifted away. Honegger, for example, never had any sympathy with Erik Satie and therefore with Les Six. Despite the group’s anti-Debussyism which resulted from contact with Satie, Poulenc described how as a child he came close to kissing Debussy’s hat in a shop; in later years he said, ‘Debussy always remained my favourite composer after Mozart. I could not do without his music. It is my oxygen.’
Where would Poulenc have been without his melancholic streak? It’s that juxtaposition of emotions that makes this composer once dubbed ‘half man, half thug’ so endlessly fascinating. And we find both aspects of his character rubbing shoulders here. Mélancolie opens with a wistful melody, almost Chopinesque in tone, set against a rippling backdrop; the whole effect is unashamedly nostalgic and gives little hint of the emotional rollercoaster to come. And as so often with Poulenc it is the moments where he’s smiling, where the harmonies and key flirt with the major, that he tugs at your heartstrings most profoundly. The piece is dedicated to his driver and friend Raymond Destouches. It’s perhaps not surprising to learn that Mélancolie was completed in 1940, in war-torn France. Wilfrid Melers has compared the work to the perfumed utterances of Fauré, but more "unreal, and with dreams that are much more elusive". Others have found in it a luminous quality, akin to the paintings of Bonnard, Vuillard and Dufy. Music of deep yearning and nostalgia, whatever its inspiration, it unquestionably haunts us with its mystery and beauty. Видеоклипы
That last cord is so profoundly brilliant! Kind of how life is - things don’t end exactly “right” or exactly the way we would’ve hoped!
Poulenc's music is a great example of how we'll never run out of new things to do with tonal music!
Yet it sounds atonal
@@davidbrant390 ... ...
...
What?
@@baileyrob Personally, think that tonality and atonality exist on a spectrum rather than as two distinct ways of doing things. This I would consider to be maybe like 70% tonality and 30% atonality, in a similar place to the works of Debussy or Ravel. Clearly influenced by sounds that are "outside" of tonality (whole tone especially!), but firmly rooted in tonal harmony.
@@ETMusic2 I absolutely disagree. Chromaticism is not atonality. This work was not written in the spirit of atonality, it's fundamentally a tonal work. Arguably the only 'atonal' music is dodecaphony. To say 'this work has a bit of atonality in it' is to seriously misunderstand the harmonies used and the reason behind its creation. Atonality pertains to a very slim canon of works in my opinion. Ones which go out of their way to be completely and consistently out of key, but still limit themselves to the 12 chromatic tones. Even the Messiaen modes are built from little shards of tonal scales.
@@baileyrob a lot of music from the 1910s on can be said to be "atonal", from expressionism to serialism and beyond. It came to be associated almost exclusively with the second Viennese school, but I think historically the term has been used more broadly and as a purely negative concept - it's really just that, music that negates the conventions of eigteenth and nineteenth century tonality. So it will typically feautre irregular frasing, less sequences and candential cliches, an instrumentation which goes against the ideals of homogeneity and balance which developed during the classical era and so on. Schoenberg didn't just change the chords, he basically understood what it means to make music without organizing musical events in hierarchical fashion around the tonic chord. In this stylistic sense one may argue that Debussy for instance is as "atonal" as Schoenberg, beacuse even if he uses tonal or modal sonorities he arranjes them according to a completely different conception of form. I mean, no one really writes sonatas anymore, and the sonata is the tonal form par excellence, it's based on the tension between harmonic regions, it needs to affirm the tonality, modulate and then come back etc. Everyone uses triads but no one writes tonal music. If one focuses on which notes and harmonies are used the discussion becomes quite abstract and in my opinion not very helpful. Steve Reich uses this group of notes and so does Beethoven, and so does Paul McCartney etc but it doesn't really say anything about the music. I personally think it's more useful to think historically, when I was in music school we would have some very long discussions about "is this tonal or is this not, it has triads but to many added notes" or "this music is unnatural because it uses a quartal chord and nature gave us tonality" and so on and in the end I don't think this leads anywhere.
This piece makes me think about the beauty of the unknown
0:45 makes my heart drop this sudden change is heartbreaking 😭
😁
I am stunned by this piece. I feel like I am floating. Gorgeous chords and running like the wind or a stream. So well played. Thank you for posting this. I have a new piece to start a new journey. Praise!
Tout l'art de F. Poulenc pour exprimer les sentiments si joliment. Une connaissance parfaite du piano lui permet d'utiliser cet instrument subtilement avec une tendresse et une délicatesse qui touchent immédiatement, particulièrement, dans une telle interprétation.
I'm sorry, but this piece is just too drop dead gorgeous! AND BEAUTIFULLY PLAYD, I might add!
Che bellezza, che meraviglia, quanta umanità in questo brano...
🙏grazie!
I've had the privilege to play this piece,it is such a pleasure to indulge in the languid melody vividly over the a harmony bedroom of its disolved chords. It's like the description of a nostalgic dreamery that we all sometimes create ,by evoque pleasantly the"what ifs?",outcomes of past romances or life paths and of one's life.
Imprescindible. Un compositor con un gusto y sensibilidad extraordinarias.
Final chord, top note B DOUBLE flat is exploding my head right now. I’m fkn obsessed with it. So apropos of the preceding composition yet atonal, almost sacrilegiously cacophonous. Almost any other D flat scale tone would’ve sufficed (e.g., M2, M6, M7, et al) , yet none would have had me frantically typing this YT commentary like this Bbb.
I spy someone who knows their shit, teach me your ways, lots of theory by any chance ? haha
Why wasn't it written as an A natural? that would be the usual way to notate a D flat augmented chord right?
@@Tulanir1 Because the A flat is already in the left hand. The B double-flat is acting as the flattened 6th rather than the sharpened 5th.
The first time I listened to this piece, I thought the *B DOUBLE FLAT* was going to shift smoothly to an IVm6 in 2nd inversion for a final cadence, 2 years later I'm still waiting for it haha
@@marsaeolus9248 I to iv6 : my fave 2 chord prog ❤️🤘
This is so beautiful. Poulenc had a marvelous melodic gift. This is just an amazing piece. Take note of the many changes in tonality. He was a master at this.
I discovered Poulenc in 1981 and im still in love with his music! everything he composed!
La musique rassemble l'humanité et Francis Poulenc nous donne certainement l'occasion de voir à quel point cela pourrait être beau si nous pouvions rêver de meilleurs débuts.
Ever since I found this piece, it never fails to make me tear up at the very least. Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe this piece
Best interpretation by far. Nice present melody and whispering chords make it float. Tempo is also very relaxing and fits perfectly to this piece.
Maravillosa selección de este mix. Los románticos en esta puro.
4:36 is a great example of the “rough around the edges” being the source of Poulenc’s beauty. Parallel 7ths man?!? It’s paints the intricacies of the world in such a beautiful way.
Love it! Got a great mix of melancholy yet still has that witty playfulness that is ubiquitous in Poulenc’s music. Beautiful piece!
100%
This is a wonderful performance! Rogé's tone is subtle, dark and lyrical. His tempo is spot on -- I've heard it played many times too fast. He also has clarity and articulation while still enveloping the tones in a wash of color. That balance is difficult to achieve.
To me, he is one of the top three Satie interpreters.
So lovely, amazing harmonies at the end, thank you for posting
сколько нерастраченной страсти, душевного порыва...это так прекрасно, до слез
In this piece, Poulenc is close to the less expected other french composer: Gabriel Fauré. This is tru even in the technical writing for piano. Pascal Rogé is an excellent interpret of Fauré and is marvellous in that nostalgic piece.
Mais , ce n'est un secret pour personne, Poulenc admirait Fauré pour son sens harmonique incroyable (Poulenc n'étant pas en reste sur ce plan là, bien sûr).
well observed, I was thinking of Fauré too... it makes two of us ( maybe more)
@@richardsagala3186 +1
Gerard I couldn't agree more!
That B-double flat at the end. Perfect.
Absolutely stunning piece overall.
@hardcore7848 lies
This is just exquisite: A beautiful composition beautifully performed.
Brano splendido...
Già tutta l'opera di Poulanc è interessante, ma questo brano è particolarmente bello...
This is absolutely gorgeous playing on the highest level. I also love the late Andre Previn's recording as well!
Absolutely beautiful. I could fall in love with the pianist. The composer must be one very passionate man.
So gorgeous! I love Poulenc and Roge's interpretation.. My favorite ... I play this one in concert too.
Really you must be a good pianist
ich meine auch
Poulenc’s music touch my heart and take me to some place very nice and relaxing , don’t really now.
Sweet melancholy. Not too sad.
An absolute masterpiece, love it love it love it!!!!wonderful!!!!
Exactly my kind of music, amazing beauty here
poetic, beautiful ! Thank you!
Amazing how well he captures the image.
quelle élégance! c'est beau.
Love this piece of Poulenc, beautifully played
incredible Poulenc and bravo for the pianist Pascal Roge. Absolutely beautiful!!!
this is so beautiful!!!!
A piece of sublime beauty interpreted in an equally sublime way by Pascal Rogé... six and a half minutes of pure ecstasy...
The correct quote (in English translation) is: "half MONK, half thug." [Fr.: moine/voyou] If you're going to lay such stress on the role of Les Six in Poulenc's early artistic development, please also mention his return to his Catholic faith in the mid-1930s. This not only opened the floodgates to such masterpieces as the 4 Lenten Motets, Mass, Stabat Mater, 4 Christmas Motets, Dialogues of the Carmelites and Gloria, but contributed to the ongoing deepening of his secular works as well, including the choral work Figure Humaine and the series of wonderful song cycles composed for baritone Pierre Bernac. Who would have guessed in 1917 that of all the composers comprising Les Six it was the "frivolous" Poulenc who would stay the course and become one of the great composers of the 20th century?
Nick...! So beautifully stated... I cried... (I always thought it was "The Monk and the Good for Nothing".... I just LOVE this man"s work... )
French taste: good taste that taste good
너무 좋다... 이 곡은 듣는 순간 날 울게 만드네.. 한번 연주해봐야겠다.
Stellar performance! Bravo!
Very beautiful composition, thanks for sharing!
So poetic and dreamy. I must listen to more Poulenc
The music of Poulenc never disappoints. What a glorious piece!🎵
Poulenc è un fuoriclasse, questo suo dono melodico lo si ritrova in molte altre sue pagine pianistiche e non. Piacevole gradevole e tecnicamente pensato anche per pianisti non troppo virtuosi.
Flavio Minelli Non troppo virtuosi ma certi pezzi sono difficilissimi
Теперь понимаю, что зря так долго откладывал знакомство с этим композитором. Это невероятно
Stunning.
Beautiful
This is one of the most beautiful and inspiraing pieces of music ever
This is great. Well done. Love Poulenc
This exquisite piece is a jewel!
Most beautiful piano piece ever
2:12 always makes me remember Dialogues des Carmélites final scene before Salve Regina 😳
Sublime ❤️
I absolutely love this piece, but it is hell on earth to memorize. I’ve got the first 5 pages down and now that the school year is starting again I’m going to have to put it on hold to finish next summer.
Damn
I'm starting to love Poulenc now. Previously I played Debussy, Ravel, Fauré and kind of ignorant to other French composers around their time. Loved this interpretation, I listen to this lik 3 or 4 times now, and I think will always listen to this no matter what
Explore the works of Lili Boulanger and Florent Schmitt.
@@MooPotPie wow. Thanks for your suggestion. I will certainly look for them 😀
The title evokes a feeling. The music plays that feeling through a miasma of torturous beauty that can never quite find a home. The main theme that draws you into that melancholic space carries you through consonant and dissonant faces of a yearning too rich and intense to bear. To the last chord you never quite feel relieved.
Wonderfully melodic.
Très bien!
Wow. What a trip. 💖
Poulenc is really brilliant. My choir sang "Les Tisserands" in quarantine style. Write this down in the research. You will love it for sure:
Corale Novarmonia - Les Tisserands (F. Poulenc)
Tres bien!!!! Bravo!!!!
His teacher, Ricardo Vines deserves more attention, Vines plays Debussy greatly
Яка прекрасна музика!
My favorite composer ❤️
that las chord is such a meme i love it
Poulenc is quoting Debussy's Reverie, it's a sort of fantasia on the main theme
Nadia Boulanger It's not really a quote. If he were quoting "Reverie," it would mean he's playing something -- a snippet or a whole line -- as Debussy wrote it. This piece does, indeed, have the same feeling as Reverie, but a very different melody.
naw this piece is very very unique and is very not like any typical piano composer that is well known.
Exquisit !
Stunning in every respect.
Are you vaccinated?
The end chord sounded strange the first time I heard it. Now it beautifully evokes the toiling of a bell with its imperfect harmonics. Compare the end of Messiaen's La colombe.
Utterly beautifulx
That Eb first note instantly told me that it was gonna be Chopin's Aeolian Harp Etude. Guess i was wrong. LOL
How can u say that when clearly, it is written that the first note is an Eb. That means i can read music. i can do both of those. Don't go assuming i can't. I didnt even have to read to know that it was an Eb. I was on another tab when the video played. Can't it be that when I hear that Eb in that register, Chopin's Aeolian Harp etude comes to mind? LOL U TROLL
Benedic Justine Velasco I though the same! Ahah fantastic
I suppose you have absolute hearing. The same happens to me, I have these pitches fixed on my favourite pieces, not by my own will, it just happened. The same with Bb, strike it and I will think of Chopin Nocturne 9/2 or Grande Valse Brillante... From years of tuning strings with orchestra according to the piano I developed sense for perfect A=440Hz, I can sing blind on the pitcher and when I think it's correct and stable, people tell me it's green, or tuning a guitar, e-b-g-d-a-e is just right there... my friend with his Galaxy S4 pitcher app asked me in the school bus to guess the percise pitch of the door beep, I just heard it's an "A" but 3 octaves higher, so I guessed 3520Hz and he was just amazed it was 3500 +-20 :D I don't think it's that rare to have absolute hearing, I know quite a few people :)
Radim Tichý
I don’t know how common it is. Maybe it’s not rare but it’s certainly an enviable ability.
And it turns out to be very Chopinesque.... and one of the most beautiful things Poulenc ever wrote.
Dream piece. Out of this world.
Keep laughing at what made us laugh together !!!!! but this music is wonderful, it help me to fall asleep peacefully
Never heard this work before... but I couldn't help but think of sitting at the piano waiting for 'my' lover to come home... even through one knows they had a terrible day and he or she is going to have to tell you (eventually) all about the whole thing. And yet, love is here and love remains. The melody is stronger than "the day." Beautiful work. Thank you Francis. CVD
………… It’s beautiful as as fortuitous encounter of a dessert spoon soaked in chocolate and a plasticised bottle on the edge of a heath devastated following a succession of inclement weather caused by a depression coming from Northern Europe !........................... ;-)
in front of a warm fire
That color note in the last chord, though ...
존경합니다. 풀랑 선생
I think I can handle this piece.
I will learn this one someday.
Beautiful piece :)
This music makes me think of the beauty of the known .........
Dans cette pièce, Poulenc est proche de G. Fauré, un autre compositeur français de même sensibilité. C'est vrai même dans l'écriture technique pour piano. Pascal Rogé est sûrement l'un des tout meilleur interprète de Fauré et reste étonnant dans cette pièce nostalgique..
0:45 - 0:53... I don't know, I just love it
muy buena musica :D 👌☝
manifique !
Suprised to see Poulenc using a key signature!
You know you love something a lot when you can't put it into words...
great music and nice played like Poulenc himself
This was played by Pascal Rogé.
wow....
so romantic.
This cool french dude was a time traveler. Love his music. How else could he take 20th century jazz and Ambient music and sound 100 years ahead of his time? *scratches head*
Poulenc died in 1963.... so the 20th century had been around for a while ;-) And Mélancolie was written in 1940. And Jazz started in the late 19th century.
As for "ambient" music, well, it's more likely that was influenced by impressionism than the other way around (even if Poulenc is a post-impressionist).
Lovely piece. It reminds me of Ravel at some points.
oh god i love poulenc
I always adore Rogé's Poulenc. This piece always reminds me of Milhaud's Printemps, even though the two are fairly different harmonically/stylistically. French melancholy speaks for itself, I guess :) Thanks for the listen!
+robowarrior97 You're very welcome, I'm glad you like the video. Rogé has always been a favourite of mine too -- especially for works by French composers!
❤
Full of inspired melodic inventiveness and typical luscious harmonies. But it just doesn't hold together as a completely satisfying unified work, at least for me. Still pleased to have discovered it
00:35 Reminds me of Scriabin's Prelude Op. 37 No. 1
3:21 Scheherazade?
Yes! A delightful whisp of it.
The opening seems like an homage to Chopin, in particular the Aeolian Harp étude. I think I hear Alkan at 2:12.