Maurice Ravel: Trois Chansons (No 2): SATB

This title is taken from the compilation French Songs And Choruses For Mixed-Voice Choir (NOV165198) These songs for unaccompanied chorus were written between December 1914 and February 1915 while Ravel was waiting to be enlisted in the army. The songs were published in 1916 but did not receive their first performance until October 1917 with a chorus assembled by Jane Bathori and her husband.The songs mark a rare foray into choral writing for Ravel the first since his ill-fated entries for the Prix de Rome (apart from the wordless choruses in Daphnis et Chloé). Part of the special interest of Trois chansons is that Ravel himselfwrote the texts for them. The first and last of the poems have an ironic humour and he clearly revelled in the use of language; the second makes repeated reference to going away to war as its dedicatee Painlevé had already done and as Ravel was then preoccupied with doing. The only other work in which Ravel set his own text to music was Noël des jouets (1905).

This collection of French Songs and Choruses includes a wealth of original choral music by French composers, as well as many wonderful arrangements of some of the greatest French songs ever composed. Suitable for Mixed-Voice Choirs of all sizes and abilities, this is the perfect collection for finding new performance pieces, but would work equally well as a complete concert programme. The selections in this songbook are second-to-none, with some of the most beautiful and affecting French choral music compiled into one volume. Many original works are included here, with these choral compositions by giants of French classical music often being regarded as some of their finest work. Pieces like Madrigal by Gabriel Fauré, a new edition of Maurice Ravel's incredible Trois Chansons, Camille Saint-Saëns's Calme Des Nuits and Trinquons as well as Reynaldo Hahn's three Rondels, originally written for SATB choir. French Songs And Choruses also features a great many arrangements of works that have been enjoyed by choirs and singers for many years. The harmonies of songs like Chanson D'Amour by Gabriel Fauré convey just how stunning a song this is to hear as well as to sing, while others like Debussy's Beau Soir offer a similarly beautiful take on a different theme. With all of these songs, the joy will be in careful selection, fantastic practice and the thrill of performance for you and your audience. Such a grand selection of Songs And Choruses For Mixed-Voice Choirs is sure to enhance or invigorate your choir's repertoire, giving you an enjoyable introduction to the finest choral music that France has to offer. The delightful arrangements of the carefully-selected French Songs And Choruses included in this collection will make a perfectly French-flavoured addition to your general repertoire, or simply a complete concert in itself. The clear and accurate engravings make this book a pleasure to dip in and out of in your search for the perfect song, and with so many great compositions included, we're sure you'll find it! Please note that most of the lyrics are in French, but translations are included that also serve the purpose of enhancing your understanding of such poetic music./ Recueil / Choeur Mixte (SATB) et Piano

The melodies of Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) span the entire chronology of his creative output, from his earliest song BALLADE DE LA REINE MORTE DAIMER (1893), written during his student years at the Paris Conservatory, to the cycle DON QUICHOTTE À DULCINEE (1932-33), his last compositions in any genre. In his songs, Ravel's text settings display a meticulous attention to detail. Ravel´s melodies are elegant and refined, classical in their phrase structure. In his treatment of rhythm, Ravel finds subtlety within traditional meters, and dance forms-minuet, waltz, folk dances (especially Spanish dances)-also shape the rhythm in many of his songs. / Voix Haute(s) Et Piano

The Pavane for a Dead Princess is considered to be one of Ravel's most popular works. The solemn and stately court dance strutting along in an even pulse turns into a melancholic, yet not sombre dirge.This Pavane is dedicated to the Princess of Polignac. Trying to put a stop to rampant poetic interpretations of the composition's title, Ravel made a point of stating that ?When I phrased the title, I was merely interested in having the fun of creating a pun. Pavane pour une Infante Défunte - the alliterations can hardly be ignored.' The arrangement on hand is in line with the orchestral version written by Ravel himself in 1910 and constitutes part of the series Ravel for Saxophone Quartet including publications of, among others, Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose), Trois Chansons (Three Songs) and Le Tombeau de Couperin. / 4 Saxophones (SATBar)

Trois Poèmes de Paul Morand pour Baryton et Piano (no.3). Par RAVEL MAURICE. Iii. Chanson A Boire Pour Baryton Et Piano/ Répertoire / Chant et Piano