Trois mélodies is a set of mélodies for solo voice
and piano, by Gabriel Fauré. It is composed of Après
un rêve (Op. 7, No. 1), one of Faure's most popular
vocal pieces, Hymne (Op. 7, No. 2), and Barcarolle (Op.
7, No. 3). The songs were written between 1870 and
1878.
"Hymne" is set to a poem by Charles Baudelaire. The
meaning of the text follows Baudelaire's ongoing theme
of paradox: the spirituality of what is sensual and the
sensuality of what is sanctified. Fauré's setting of...(+)
Trois mélodies is a set of mélodies for solo voice
and piano, by Gabriel Fauré. It is composed of Après
un rêve (Op. 7, No. 1), one of Faure's most popular
vocal pieces, Hymne (Op. 7, No. 2), and Barcarolle (Op.
7, No. 3). The songs were written between 1870 and
1878.
"Hymne" is set to a poem by Charles Baudelaire. The
meaning of the text follows Baudelaire's ongoing theme
of paradox: the spirituality of what is sensual and the
sensuality of what is sanctified. Fauré's setting of
the text centers subtly around this idea. Hymne, just
like Après un rêve, retains an ethereal mood. The
unchanged harmonic motion after "Forever hail!"
indicates the entrance to the untroubled world of
spirituality. After the word "sel" which literally
means salt but in this case refers figuratively to
something engaging, the harmony begins to change. Under
a soft, but highly chromatic piano line the stanza
about "incorruptible love" brings the song to a
dramatic climax. After this stint, the piece returns to
its tranquil state; however, the piece does end with
the melody's tonic note and the piano's leading tone
clashing for a stunning effect.
This piece is the second in the series of three and has
been arranged for Viola & Concert (Pedal) Harp.
