L'Arlésienne Suites
Encyclopedia : L : LA : LAR : L'Arlésienne Suites
The L'Arlésienne (incidental music) is incidental music composed by Georges Bizet to accompany the original production of Alphonse Daudet's play.
Suite number one
Background
The complete score was originally written in 27 numbers and orchestrated for chorus and small orchestra, the piece received poor reviews at first. The entire score has been recorded complete in a version conducted by Michel Plasson and issued by EMI. The numbers ranged from short solos to longer entr'actes. Despite the poor reviews, Bizet orchestrated his work into a suite comprised of four movements. Now known as L'Arlésienne Suite Number One, the revised edition only utilized a full orchestra.
Movements
The four movements of the first suite were:
- I. Allegro deciso; (prelude)
- II. Minuet, Allegro giocoso (minuetto)
- III. Adagietto
- IV. Carillon - Allegro moderato
The music
The suite opens with a strong, energetic theme, which is based on the Christmas carol "March of the Kings", played by the entire orchestra. Afterwards, the theme is repeated by various sections. After reaching a climax, the theme fades away into the minuetto section. The second movement resembes a minuet, while the third is more emotional and muted. The last movement, Carillion, features a repeating Bell-tone pattern on the Horns, mimicking a peal of church bells.
Suite number two
Background
L'Arlésienne Suite Number Two was published four years after Bizet's death in 1879. The suite was collected by Ernest Guiraud, who compiled some of Bizet's original themes and formed the second suite. Although the work was never sanctioned by Bizet and was performed posthumously, the second suite is generally credited to Bizet since Bizet wrote the themes in the work. The suite is also written for full orchestra.
Movements
There are also four movements in the second suite.
- I. Pastorale
- II. Intermezzo
- III. Menuet
- IV. Farandole
Music
The second suite begins with an introduction by the wind section, followed by the melody in the strings. The melodies are repeated by various sections throughout the first movement. The second movement features utilization of low tones and begins with the wind section. The menuet, which is not from L'Arlésienne, but Bizet's 1866 opera The Fair Maid of Perth, features solos by harp and flute; it is the more subdued and emotional movement. The finale, the farandole, returns to the themes of the first suite, then to the opening movement of the second suite.
See also
Notable Uses
The L'Arlesienne suite was played extensively in the episode of "The Prisoner", "Hammer Into Anvil".
References
- [New York City Opera: Georges Bizet]
- [Classical Notes - L'Arlésienne Suite No. 1]
- [Suite No. 1, L'Arlésienne]
From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Original article here. Support Wikipedia by contributing or donating.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License See Wikipedia Copyrights for details.