Program Notes For Vive La France

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice | Paul Dukas

(Born October 1, 1865 in Paris, France; died May 17, 1935 in Paris)

Paul Dukas was a French composer, music critic, and teacher, best known for his orchestral work The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Born in Paris, Dukas showed an early interest in music and studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where he developed his skills as a composer. Though he was highly talented, he was also very self-critical, and many of his works were either destroyed or left unpublished. However, his surviving pieces show his mastery of orchestration and his ability to create vivid, imaginative music. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice became famous partly because it was featured in Disney’s 1940 film Fantasia.

In addition to composing, Dukas had a long career as a teacher, shaping the next generation of composers. He taught at both the Paris Conservatoire and the École Normale de Musique, where his students included well-known composers like Olivier Messiaen. Dukas also worked as a music critic, writing articles that reflected his deep knowledge of the art. Despite his relatively small body of work, he is remembered for his technical brilliance and lasting influence on 20th-century music.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a symphonic poem inspired by a ballad of the same name by Goethe. The piece tells the story of a young apprentice who, left alone by his master, uses magic to bring a broom to life to fetch water for him. However, the apprentice loses control of the broom, which continues to flood the room with water. Unable to stop it, he tries to split the broom with an axe, but it only multiplies, making things worse. In the end, the sorcerer returns, ends the chaos, and restores order.

Musically, Dukas captures the drama and humor of the story with vivid orchestration. The piece begins with a mysterious, playful theme, representing the magic spell, which builds up as the apprentice casts it. As the broom comes to life, the music grows more animated, using quick rhythms and repeating patterns to show the broom’s movements. The tension rises with loud, chaotic sections as the apprentice loses control. Dukas expertly uses different instruments to create mood changes, such as the frantic woodwinds and booming brass to convey panic, and the final return of calm with the sorcerer’s theme to signal the restoration of order. The piece is known for its lively energy and colorful use of the orchestra.

An American in Paris | George Gershwin

(Born September 26, 1898 in New York City; died July 11, 1937 in Los Angeles)

George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist known for blending classical music with jazz and popular styles. Born in Brooklyn, New York, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents, Gershwin showed an early talent for music. He left school at age 15 to work as a song plugger, promoting new sheet music for a music publisher, and soon began writing his own songs. His first major success came in 1919 with the song Swanee, which was recorded by singer Al Jolson. Gershwin quickly became a prominent figure in the world of musical theater, composing hit shows like Lady Be Good and Funny Face with his brother, lyricist Ira Gershwin.

Gershwin’s most famous works, however, bridge the gap between popular and classical music. In 1924, he composed Rhapsody in Blue, a groundbreaking piece that combines jazz rhythms with classical form, which brought him widespread recognition. He continued to explore new musical styles with works like the opera Porgy and Bess and the orchestral composition An American in Paris. Gershwin’s unique ability to merge jazz, classical, and popular music made him one of the most influential American composers of the 20th century. Despite his untimely death at age 38, his music remains widely performed and beloved.

An American in Paris is a symphonic tone poem inspired by Gershwin’s experiences in Paris. The piece tells the story of an American tourist wandering through the city, taking in its sights and sounds. Throughout the composition, Gershwin uses music to evoke the busy streets, the excitement of the city, and the emotions of the traveler. The work begins with a lively, upbeat mood, reflecting the tourist’s excitement as he explores Paris. As the piece progresses, there are moments of reflection and nostalgia, showing the traveler’s longing for home before the energetic mood returns.

Musically, An American in Paris blends jazz rhythms with classical orchestration, a signature of Gershwin’s style. He uses the orchestra in creative ways to mimic city sounds, like car horns and bustling crowds, using real taxi horns in the piece to give it an authentic feel. The lively, syncopated rhythms and bluesy melodies reflect the American jazz influences, while lush harmonies and sweeping strings add a more classical touch. Gershwin alternates between playful, upbeat sections and slower, more introspective moments, showing the traveler’s emotional journey. The piece is known for its vibrant energy and the way it combines American jazz with European classical music, creating a vivid musical portrait of Paris.

Nocturnes | Claude Debussy

(Born August 22, 1862 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France; died March 25, 1918 in Paris)

Claude Debussy was a French composer known for his innovative and expressive music, which helped to shape the direction of modern classical music. Debussy showed musical talent at an early age and entered the Paris Conservatoire at age 10. He quickly stood out for his unconventional approach to composition, often breaking away from traditional rules. His music was heavily influenced by the art and literature of his time, as well as non-Western music, such as the gamelan music of Java, Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia). Debussy’s early works began to draw attention, but his landmark piece, Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (1894), solidified his reputation as a leading composer.

Debussy is best known for his role in developing musical Impressionism, a movement that sought to evoke moods and atmospheres rather than follow strict forms. His masterpiece Clair de Lune and his orchestral work La Mer are prime examples of his ability to paint pictures with sound. Using rich harmonies, unusual scales, and fluid rhythms, Debussy created a unique musical language that was both subtle and expressive. His music was a major influence on later composers and remains popular today for its beauty and originality.

Debussy’s Nocturnes is a three-part orchestral work composed between 1892 and 1899. Each movement paints a different musical scene, inspired by the shifting effects of light and atmosphere rather than traditional structures. The first movement, Nuages (Clouds), depicts the slow movement of clouds across the sky, while Fêtes (Festivals), the second movement, captures the energy and excitement of a lively celebration. The final movement, Sirènes (Sirens), evokes the mystical and seductive call of the sea sirens, using a wordless female chorus to create a haunting effect.

Musically, Nuages is characterized by its calm, floating melodies and muted colors. Debussy uses shifting harmonies and soft dynamics to mirror the slow drifting of clouds, avoiding strong contrasts and emphasizing atmosphere over melody. The piece has a dreamlike quality, with dissonances and unusual scales that give it a sense of mystery and detachment. The orchestration is delicate and subtle, with woodwinds and strings playing a central role in creating this soft, cloudy landscape.

Fêtes offers a striking contrast with its fast pace and bright, festive energy. The music is lively and rhythmic, with bold brass fanfares and swirling woodwinds that give the sense of a joyful celebration. This movement also includes a more mysterious section, where a distant procession is heard, giving the listener a sense of something grand approaching. In Sirènes, the final movement, Debussy blends the orchestra with a female choir to create an ethereal sound. The waves of music, much like the waves of the sea, ebb and flow, while the sirens’ calls emerge and recede in the background. The use of vocal harmonies without text adds to the sense of mystery, creating a mesmerizing and otherworldly atmosphere.

Piano Concerto in G major | Joseph Maurice Ravel

(Born March 7, 1875 in Ciboure, France; died December 28, 1937 in Paris)

Maurice Ravel was a French composer known for his masterful orchestration and distinctive musical style. Born in the Basque region of France, Ravel moved to Paris at a young age and studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where he developed his skills as a pianist and composer. Although he struggled to win major awards in his early career, Ravel gained recognition for his innovative works, blending traditional classical music with modern influences. He became one of the most important composers of the early 20th century, often associated with Impressionism, although he preferred to call his music “musique de précision” (music of precision).

Ravel’s most famous works include Boléro, an orchestral piece that features a repetitive melody and rhythmic patterns, and Daphnis et Chloé, a ballet with lush orchestration and vibrant harmonies. His compositions often explored new textures and sounds, using the orchestra in inventive ways. Ravel also had a deep interest in folk music, incorporating influences from various cultures into his works. Throughout his career, Ravel remained committed to refining his craft, and his music is still celebrated today for its elegance, clarity, and attention to detail.

The Piano Concerto in G major was composed between 1929 and 1931, and is known for blending classical structure with jazz influences. The concerto has three movements: a lively and energetic first movement, a calm and lyrical second movement, and a fast-paced, playful third movement. The concerto was inspired by Ravel’s travels to the United States, where he was influenced by jazz music. The piece opens with a bright and rhythmic theme, featuring lively percussion and syncopated rhythms, creating an energetic and upbeat mood. The piano enters with crisp, fast-paced runs that echo both classical and jazz elements.

The second movement is a sharp contrast to the lively first movement, as it is slow, lyrical, and almost serene. The piano introduces a long, flowing melody that feels both simple and deeply emotional. Ravel’s use of harmonies in this section is delicate and nuanced, creating a sense of peace and beauty. The final movement returns to a fast, energetic pace with a playful, almost mischievous mood. The piano and orchestra engage in quick exchanges, and the jazz influences resurface with syncopated rhythms and vibrant harmonies. The concerto showcases Ravel’s technical brilliance and his ability to merge different musical styles, making it one of his most popular works.