Félicien David

Brises D'orient L'almee La Mineur

The ANACROUSE collection offers novice and experienced pianists alike a wide choice of classical works, from the Renaissance to the modern era.

We have set ourselves the goal of offering both "must-haves" from the classical repertoire and pieces by sometimes forgotten composers, all of undeniable pedagogical value. Each piece, sold individually, has been the subject of careful editorial work, both in terms of the musical text and its engraving, in order to guarantee musicians the conditions essential to the pleasures derived from frequent trade in these works.

The scores are offered in the form of traditional works (paper sheets), and also available by download.



In 1836, the composer Félicien David published the "Mélodies orientales". They comprise a total of twenty-one pieces, eighteen of which were republished in 1845 under the title "Brises d'Orient" and three others under the title "Les Minarets".
On their release, these melodies were not a great success. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, a fire destroyed part of the stock of printed scores. On the other hand, the public, which had enjoyed the poet Victor Hugo's "Orientales" and the painter Eugène Delacroix's "Pestiférés de Jaffa", did not seem to be attracted by musical orientalism.
Les brises d'Orient possesses the power of rather gentle oriental charms. More than traditional forms, the most important thing to remember about these pieces is that they tell beautiful stories, always with a highly successful dynamic of slow and fast passages. L'Almée (Egyptian dancer) is a fine example, with an introduction so lyrical that you expect a diva to appear.
But surprise, a harmonious development calms the spirits. And right up to the conclusion, repeats of the highly rhythmic theme alternate with those of the slow development.
Discover a composer worthy of the great masters of oriental painting. This piece deserves to be played by every pianist who loves classical music.