Description

A notable musicologist investigates French art songs from the nineteenth century in this captivating examination of the compositions by Berlioz, Liszt, Bizet, Saint-Saëns, Franck, Fauré, and others. The songs are examined and detailed regarding their structure, style, prosody, and melo-harmonic characteristics. Careful assessments of the melodies encompass over 250 musical samples.

Frits Noske was the pioneering musicologist who thoroughly investigated the beginnings and early evolution of the French art songs termed mélodie. He examines the origins from which the genre emerged, transitional works by Niedermeyer and Monpou, and the influence of Thomas Moore's Irish Melodies. Other subjects cover Berlioz's role in the developing form, the impact of German song, the unique challenges of French-language prosody, and the evolving function of the accompaniment. Music history students, voice majors, musicologists, and music fans of every age will value this essential guide to a largely overlooked musical genre.

Reissue from the North-Holland Publishing Company in Amsterdam and the Presses Universitaires de France in Paris, 1954 edition.

'Extremely useful as a reference, it is also rich in wise insights and positive recommendations.' — Jacques Barzun, MLA Notes