3 Songs

These three songs set texts by two different poets, both members of the Parnassian group concerned with art for art’s sake, their inspiration derived from the ancient world. “Nell” is the work of Leconte de Lisle, while “Le voyageur” (“The Wanderer”) and “Automne” (“Autumn”) are by Paul Armand Silvestre. All three songs date from around 1878. Dedicated to the wife of his friend and mentor Camille Saint-Saëns, “Nell” is a love song pouring out its elation in a buoyant melody with an accompaniment in constant motion that includes magical changes of key. “Le voyageur” presents a conversation in which the singer questions himself as the wanderer of the title, fleeing unhappiness in love by following the sun. Strong, wide-ranging chords accompany the dialogue, conducted in stark and angular vocal lines. “Automne” is a season for reflection for the singer, in the autumn of his days and recalling with sadness his earlier years. Sombre textures and a slow but steady motion give character to a song in which the singer searches his own soul as he reminisces about emotional events of long ago. Represented in the vocal line, his feelings rise to a climax followed by a few final, pensive bars from the piano.