Ernest Chausson

Poeme de l'Amour et de la Mer op. 19

Ernest Chausson (1855-1899) began to work on his POÈME DE L'AMOUR ET DE LA MER (POEM OF LOVE AND THE SEA), OP. 19, in 1882. The composer chose two poems written by his friend Maurice Bouchor as source material, weaving dark Tristan-esque imagery of a windswept sea with flower symbolism expressing the memory of love and unassuaged desire. He completed a revised version in 1893, after which it finally found its first audience on February 21 in Brussels, the composer playing the score from the piano, Désiré Demest as the soloist. On April 8, 1893, the Société Nationale de Musique premiered the full orchestra version with Éléonore Blanc performing the vocal part. Versions for high voice in G (original key) and medium voice in F (transposed) are available from the publisher. Movements: I. La Fleur des eaux; Ia. Interlude; II. La Mort de l'amour. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.2.3.0: Timp: Hp: Str (9.8.7.6.5 in set): Solo Medium Voice.