Maurice Ravel

3 beaux oiseaux du Paradis

In 'Trois beaux oiseaux du Paradis' ('Three beautiful birds from paradise'), Maurice Ravel thematizes the First World War, which he had directly in mind when composing the work in the winter of 1914/1915. In a ballad-like narrative tone, it depicts the suffering of a girl whose lover has gone off to war. The plaintive, melancholy character of the solo part, which alternates between all registers, contrasts with the flowing vocalizations of the choral writing. Fifths and fourths characterize the soundscape of the melancholy piece and, with their historicizing character, place it in the context of the French Renaissance chanson tradition.