Mélodies

Description

This recording features eighteen previously unreleased melodies on disc by the French composer Félicien David (1810-1876). It is published as part of the celebrations that will take place in France from March to August 2014 (Le Désert at the Cité de la musique, Herculanum at the Royal Opera of the Palace of Versailles, Le Saphir at the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Christophe Colomb at the Berlioz Festival). Edited in the 1830s, Félicien David's melodies respond to the enthusiasm of music lovers for simple pieces for voice and piano, intended to be played in aristocratic and bourgeois homes. Their rapid dissemination allows the young composer to gain media attention and become known to the general public. A Schubertian trend is blowing over Paris, and Félicien David is designated as the French Schubert. The influence of the Viennese is indeed noticeable: Le Nuage recalls Marguerite au Rouet, the expressiveness of the piano (L'Océan), the play of echoes (Reviens, reviens!) or the minor-major alternations (Le Vieillard et les roses as well as Oubli!). The texts are tinged with exoticism, speaking of travels, the Maghreb, and the Middle East, which are so dear to this traveling musician.