
The evocative nature of French music is explored through the work of two unique artists in the next concert by the Amici Chamber Ensemble. Piaf & Poulenc pairs the distinctive and emotional vocal style of the quintessential chanteuse with the composer’s rich harmonies.
“[Piaf and Poulenc’s music] represents Paris in the late afternoon or early evening… when people go to the cafes or the bars after a hard day’s work, and they’re enjoying themselves… that’s how I imagine their music,” says Amici co-artistic director Serouj Kradjian in a statement.
The concert takes place February 9.
The Music of Paris in the 1930s
Piaf
Born Édith Giovanna Gassion in 1915, the iconic entertainer the world knew as Édith Piaf is one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century. Her vocals are instantly recognizable, and she came to epitomize the chanson réaliste, a term typically referring to songs of love and loss.
She began her performing career at the age of 14, joining her father, a street acrobat, with her songs. Her life was often tumultuous, and included marriage and pregnancy at the age of 17. The child would die of meningitis at the age of two, the marriage between her parents already over.
Édith was discovered n 1935 by nightclub owner Louis Leplée, who would help her craft her signature look. Legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt was in attendance at her debut, which had been hyped by Leplée. Her career as a nightclub singer began to off, only to be blighted by suspicions following Leplée’s murder the following year.
Her career and fame would truly grow, however, during the German occupation of France during the Second World War. She sang for audiences in nightclubs and brothels, and went on a concert tour sponsored by German government officials. After the war, personal testimony by a member of the Resistance helped her avoid a nation-wide radio ban because of alleged collaboration with the occupying army.
She’d regain her enormous popularity in France, while earning an international reputation over the decades. Her signature songs like La vie en rose and Non, je ne regret rien have risen to iconic status.
As a singer, her style blended elements of cabaret and classic French chanson. Her delivery was nuanced and emotional, and characterized by a kind of percussive use of vibrato — a distinctive sound she essentially invented.
Poulenc
Composer Francis Poulenc was born in France in January 1899. He was also a pianist, and piano works make up a good portion of his compositions, along with songs and choral music, chamber and orchestral music, ballets and operas.
He was born into a wealthy family with a manufacturing company, and was expected to enter into the family firm. After his parents’ death, however, he began to study privately, eventually becoming known as one of Les Six, a group of young composers of the day. During his lifetime, he was also known as a pianist, and toured Europe and the US with opera singers.
While his earlier works show a youthful irreverence, as he grew older, it’s clear Poulenc’s thinking changed. His lighter, more fanciful pieces were interspersed with music for the church later in his career. His works are both lyrical and emotional.
Like so many of his fellow French people, Poulenc appreciated the work of Piaf. When he wrote his 15 improvisations for piano in 1959, he completed the series with No. 15 in C minor, subtitled “L’hommage à Édith Piaf.”
The Program
The music includes:
Poulenc: Cello Sonata (2nd and 3rd movements)
Poulenc: Clarinet Sonata
Poulenc: L’Invitation au Chateau for clarinet, violin and piano
Poulenc: L’hommage à Édith Piaf
Piaf songs:
Les Chemins d’amour
Non Je ne regrette rien
Hymne à l’amour
Padam padam
La vie en rose
Sous le ciel de Paris
Guest musicians include:
- Pandora Topp, vocalist
- Timothy Ying, violin
- Matti Pulkki, accordion
- Julia Mirzoev, violin
- Lucy Gelber, viola
- Laura Kuri, trumpet
Find more details about the February 9 performance, and tickets, [HERE].
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