Le Chant Intime The interpretation of French mélodie

In this translation of the groundbreaking Le Chant Intime, internationally renowned baritone François Le Roux, in conversation with journalist Romain Raynaldy, presents a master class on French art song, with a thorough analysis of 60 selected songs that deviate from the traditionally narrow repertoire of the mélodie genre.

Taking an approach that goes far beyond the typical limiting conventions, Le Roux and Raynaldy adhere to composer Francis Poulenc's principle that a song should always be "a love affair, not an arranged marriage." Neither theoretical nor purely academic, this guide instills in its readers a deep appreciation for the historical and artistic context of each piece by enriching each analysis with the full text of the lyrical poem and several musical examples, as well as fascinating details of historic premieres, concert halls, singers and poets. Paired with intensive and practical notes related to the nuances of melody and vocal delivery, each analysis provides an essential reference for performers and listeners alike. The translation is due to the expertise of musicologist and pianist Sylvia Kahan, Professor of Music at the Graduate Center and College of Staten Island, CUNY.

Fran?ois Le Roux is recognized as one of the best-known French opera singers of our time. Internationally known as 'Mister M?lodie', Le Roux instructs masterclasses on French operatic and recital repertoire all over the world.

Romain Raynaldy is a journalist at Agence France-Presse, specializing in the arts, particularly music and cinema.

Foreword
Introduction

To listen
To know
To perform

Georges Auric
Le petit bois

Hector Berlioz
Au cimeti?re

Charles Bordes
Sur un vieil air

Lili Boulanger
Reflets
Le retour

Emmanuel Chabrier
Pastorale des cochons roses
Tes yeux bleux

C?cile Chaminade
Malgr? nous
Mignonne

Ernest Chausson
La chanson bien douce
Le chevalier Malheur

Claude Debussy
NUITS BLANCHES
I. Nuit sans fin
II. Lorsqu'elle est entr?e
Apparition
TROIS PO?MES DE ST?PHANE MALLARM?
I. Soupir
II. Placet futile
III. ?ventail

Henri Duparc
S?r?nade
Romance de Mignon
Le galop

Louis Durey
TROIS PO?MES DE P?TRONE
I. La boule de neige
II. La m?tempsycose
III. La grenade

Henri Dutilleux
San Francisco Night

Gabriel Faur?
L'absent
Puisque j'ai mis ma l?vre
Tristesse d'Olympio
Cygne sur l'eau

Charles Gounod
? ma belle rebelle
Ma belle amie est morte (Lamento)

Reynaldo Hahn
En sourdine
Au pays musulman

Philippe Hersant
Paroles peintes

Augusta Holm?s
Rondel

Arthur Honegger
TROIS PO?MES DE PAUL FORT
I. Le chasseur perdu en for?t
II. Cloche du soir
III. Chanson de fol

Vincent d'Indy
L'amour et le cr?ne.

Marie Ja?ll
Larmes

Thierry Lancino
L'amour par terre

Jule Massenet
Le po?te et le fant?me

Olivier Messiaen
TROIS M?LODIES
I. Pourquoi ?
II. Le sourire
III. La fianc?e perdue

Darius Milhaud
L'innocence

Francis Poulenc
Po?te et t?nor
Pierrot

Maurice Ravel
Les grands vents venus d'outre-mer
Sainte
DEUX ?PIGRAMMES DE CL?MENT MAROT
I. D'Anne qui me jecta de la neige
II. D'Anne jouant de l'espinette

Albert Roussel
La menace

Camille Saint-Sa?ns
Au cimeti?re
Si vous n'avez rien ? me dire
Grasselette et maigrelette

D?odat de S?verac
Paysages tristes : soleils couchants
Les hiboux

Germaine Tailleferre
Vrai Dieu, qui m'y confortera

Pauline Viardot
Lamento
Ici-bas tous les lilas meurent

Glossary
Bibliography