This piece is based on a
poem of the French poet Rollinant which describes a murky, spectre-ridden
reflecting pool. After only one bar of piano introduction, the viola plays the
stoic idée fixe of the continuous
movement. After a wildly romantic development of the theme, the music lightens
up into a sparkling piano texture, over which the oboe sings a twisting melody,
which the viola then elaborates. The music builds to the climax where the main
theme returns in a raucous chant in the oboe and viola, around which the piano
flies in fast, swirling figures. The music then relaxes, but gets a fresh start
in a bouncy Allegro section, which though seemingly of new harmonic and melodic
material, contains many references to the idée
fixe played by the viola at the outset of the piece. This fast section then
seems to vanish into thin air, and the plaintive music of the opening returns
and the work's final bars fade away into silence. Pandora's Trio
Classical Music | Music for Trio
Charles M. Loeffler
L’Etang, from Two Rhapsodies Play
Recorded on 07/20/2004, uploaded on 01/11/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
L'Etang from Two Rhapsodies Charles M. Loeffler
This piece is based on a poem of the French poet Rollinant which describes a murky, spectre-ridden reflecting pool. After only one bar of piano introduction, the viola plays the stoic idée fixe of the continuous movement. After a wildly romantic development of the theme, the music lightens up into a sparkling piano texture, over which the oboe sings a twisting melody, which the viola then elaborates. The music builds to the climax where the main theme returns in a raucous chant in the oboe and viola, around which the piano flies in fast, swirling figures. The music then relaxes, but gets a fresh start in a bouncy Allegro section, which though seemingly of new harmonic and melodic material, contains many references to the idée fixe played by the viola at the outset of the piece. This fast section then seems to vanish into thin air, and the plaintive music of the opening returns and the work's final bars fade away into silence. Pandora's Trio
More music by Charles M. Loeffler
Two Rhapsodies for Oboe, Viola, and Piano
Performances by same musician(s)
Serenade, Op. 73
Trio Sonata in c minor
Garlands
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.