Marie-Juliette Olga "Lili" Boulanger (1893 â?? 1918)
was a French composer and the first female winner of
the Prix de Rome composition prize. Her older sister
was the noted composer and composition teacher Nadia
Boulanger. As a Parisian-born child prodigy,
Boulanger's talent was apparent at a very young age; at
the age of two, she was already singing melodies by
ear. Her parents, both of whom were musicians,
encouraged their daughter's musical education. Her
mother, Raissa Myshetskaya (Mischetz...(+)
Boulanger grew up in a time of musical transition and
her music fits easily into what was becoming defined as
a post-Romantic style. Like Debussy, Boulanger
associated herself more with Symbolism than
Impressionism, with her music featuring the sense of
obscurity and indirection more common in Symbolism.
However, she also â??explored the
â??Impressionistsâ?? palette of nonfunctional seventh
and ninth chords, parallel chords, and modal
progressions.â??. While much of Boulangerâ??s music
reflects the feelings of isolation and alienation that
were starting to emerge during the twentieth century,
it also reveals her own struggles with depression and
loneliness caused by her long-term illness. She often
chose texts that conveyed a strong sense of
hopelessness and sadness, as seen in Demain fera un an:
â??Nothing more. I have nothing more, nothing to
sustain meâ?? and â??I seem to feel a weeping within
me, a heavy, silent sobbing, someone who is not
thereâ??.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lili_Boulanger)
Although originally composed for Chorus (SATB) & Piano,
I created this arrangement of "Les Soleils de
Septembre" (The Suns of September) for Winds (Flute,
Oboe, English Horn, French Horn & Bassoon) & Strings (2
Violins, Viola & Cello).
PARTITION