Victor Hugo’s poem “S'il est un charmant gazon” inspired numerous composers in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition to Gabriel Fauré, figures such as Franz Liszt, CharlesMarie Widor, César Franck, Jules Massenet and Camille SaintSaëns all composed settings of this Rêve d'amour. The poem first appeared in 1834 under the title “Nouvelle chanson sur un vieil air” in Hugo’s collection Les Chants du Crépuscule. Unlike Liszt and Widor, Fauré set all three verses. The dreamy piano motif, which appears as a prelude, interlude, and postlude, creates a suitably atmospheric backdrop for the voice.
This art song was originally composed not for chamber choir, but for solo voice and piano. Denis Rouger has carefully adapted it to suit the requirements and expressive possibilities offered by a larger ensemble, without losing any of the qualities of the original. Each part in the choir has a melodic line drawn from the harmonic and rhythmic framework. In the process, the variety and refinement of the choral language combines with an enormous flexibility in form and expression, as French melodies or German art songs demand from a soloist and pianist.
- ISMN: 9790007300982 (M007300982)
