In 1888 Reynaldo composed "Si mes vers avaient des ailes" to a poem by Victor Hugo; it was an instant success when published by Le Figaro. From this exposure and publicity, Hahn came into contact with many leading artists in Paris (in addition to the relationships he cultivated at the Conservatoire). The famed soprano Sybil Sanderson and the writer Alphonse Daudet invited Hahn into their social sphere. Hahn had "a special gift" of attracting "important people to his side".
Like many other French song composers of the time, Hahn was attracted to Hugo's poetry. Many of the hallmarks of Hahn's music are already evident in "Si mes vers": the undulating piano accompaniment, the vocal line derived from the patterns and intimacy of speech, the surprising intervals and cadences, the cleverly placed mezza voce, and the sophistication and depth of feeling—all the more impressive because he was only thirteen when he composed it.
Classical Music | Soprano
Reynaldo Hahn
Si mes vers avaient des ailes Play
Recorded on 09/28/2011, uploaded on 03/22/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
In 1888 Reynaldo composed "Si mes vers avaient des ailes" to a poem by Victor Hugo; it was an instant success when published by Le Figaro. From this exposure and publicity, Hahn came into contact with many leading artists in Paris (in addition to the relationships he cultivated at the Conservatoire). The famed soprano Sybil Sanderson and the writer Alphonse Daudet invited Hahn into their social sphere. Hahn had "a special gift" of attracting "important people to his side".
Like many other French song composers of the time, Hahn was attracted to Hugo's poetry. Many of the hallmarks of Hahn's music are already evident in "Si mes vers": the undulating piano accompaniment, the vocal line derived from the patterns and intimacy of speech, the surprising intervals and cadences, the cleverly placed mezza voce, and the sophistication and depth of feeling—all the more impressive because he was only thirteen when he composed it.
(from wikipedia.org)
More music by Reynaldo Hahn
L’heure exquise
Offrande
L'heure exquise
Nocturne
L'Ange Verrie, from Le Rossignol Eperdu
L'enamourée
Performances by same musician(s)
Song to the Moon, from Rusalka
Der Engel, from Wesendonck-Lieder
I Send My Heart Up to Thee, from Three Browning Songs
Träume, from Wesendonck-Lieder
Wesendonck Lieder
L'heure exquise
Ah, Love, But a Day, from Three Browning Songs
The Year’s at the Spring, from Three Browning Songs
Im Treibhaus, from Wesendonck-Lieder
Stehe still!, from Wesendonck-Lieder
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.