Claude Debussy: 5 Poèmes de Baudelaire (1887-9), 1

1. Le balcon.

Debussy's massive Franco-Wagnerian song cycle is, in my opinion, one of his most interesting and compelling works (with Pelléas, composed not long after), and Baudelaire's evocative poems play no small part.

Text and translation: http://fleursdumal.org/poem/133

Barbara Hendricks, soprano; Michel Béroff, piano. Portrait of Claude Debussy (1884) by Marcel Baschet.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• claude
• debussy
• charles
• baudelaire
• french
• mélodie
• lieder
• opera
• soprano
• barbara
• hendricks
• béroff
• balcon
• fleurs
• du
• mal

[SiT1986]

Not my style but, I really like some of Baudelaire's visionary poems. I consider it a big influence for anyone willing to indulge in a series of unique emotions.

[illyriato]

@dippercat

Wagner's 'influence' is exaggerated.This was partly a result of the prevailing view at the time that lumped together all French composers as enthrall to Wagner's gargantuan and epic style. This view arose out of the fact that they visited Bayreuth. What is clearer is that in these songs Debussy was already expressing his unique and highly individual style.

illyriato

[dippercat]

In his visits to Bayreuth in 1888-9, Debussy was exposed to Wagnerian opera. Wagner's influence is evident in the 1889 piece Cinq poèmes de Baudelaire.

[beethomozart]

Exotic, simbolic and exuberant climate surrounds these short pieces composed in 1887 by french impressionist Debussy, based in texts by Baudelaire

[BirchBarlow]

This is Barbara Hendricks, and she's great!

[orlandoswoolf]

who's the singer?