Chanson Épique - Don Quichotte a Dulcineé - Maurice Ravel

Selection from my senior recital

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Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) wrote only 39 songs in his career, a small number in comparison to his total output. Don Quichotte a Dulcinée is Ravel’s last work, written in 1932 before illness stripped the composer of his communicative and musical abilities. The singer is Don Quixote himself, and the melodies reflect the grand, noble, and virile nature of the character. Rhythmically, the songs are based on three rhythms of traditional Spanish dancers: 1. guajira, 2. zorzica, and 3. jota. As such, the first song, Chanson Romanesque, alternates between 6/8 and 3/4. It is sung by Don Quixote to his Lady, Dulcinea. The second song, Chanson Épique, is his prayer to St. Michael and St. George, asking them to bless his sword and his Lady. It is a prayer of humble but noble piety. The final song, Chanson a Boire, is a joyous drinking song, displaying the more boisterous side of the heroic knight.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chanson
• Épique
• Don
• Quichotte
• Dulcineé
• Maurice
• Ravel
• singer
• singing
• baritone
• Matt
• Nugent
• classical
• music
• french
• senior

[dutchbaritone08]

beautiful singing

[jimwalberg]

I love Ravel.

[guitarttam6288]

Lovely piece. My favorite of the set.