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''Les Éolides'', (Op. 26), FWV 43, CFF 127,The opus number wasn't used by composer when he published the piece. is a
symphonic poem A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music, usually in a single continuous movement, which illustrates or evokes the content of a poem, short story, novel, painting, landscape, or other (non-musical) source. The German term ( ...
by French composer
César Franck César Auguste Jean Guillaume Hubert Franck (; 10 December 1822 – 8 November 1890) was a French Romantic music, Romantic composer, pianist, organist, and music teacher born in present-day Belgium. He was born in Liège (which at the time of h ...
written in 1876 and premiered the next year. Its approximate duration is 11 minutes.


Background

The initial inspiration for the piece came from a poem by
Leconte de Lisle Charles Marie René Leconte de Lisle (; 22 October 1818 – 17 July 1894) was a French poet of the Parnassian movement. He is traditionally known by his surname only, Leconte de Lisle. Biography Leconte de Lisle was born on the French overseas i ...
about the Aeolids, daughters of the keeper of the winds
Aeolus In Greek mythology, Aiolos, transcribed as Aeolus (; ; ) refers to three characters. These three are often difficult to tell apart, and even the ancient mythographers appear to have been perplexed about which Aeolus was which. Diodorus Siculus m ...
. The work, begun early in 1875, didn't go well until Franck came for summer vacation in
Languedoc The Province of Languedoc (, , ; ) is a former province of France. Most of its territory is now contained in the modern-day region of Occitanie in Southern France. Its capital city was Toulouse. It had an area of approximately . History ...
. He finished the piece in September 1875 and revised it in 1876. The instrumentation was completed on 7 June, but a performance was a difficult task, as at that time the ''
Société Nationale de Musique Groupe Lactalis S.A. (doing business as Lactalis) is a French multinational dairy products corporation, owned by the Besnier family and based in Laval, Mayenne, France. The company's former name was Besnier S.A. Lactalis is the largest dairy pr ...
'' rarely organised orchestral concerts. The piece was premiered on 13 May 1877 on the 70th concert of the ''Société'' in the ''
Salle Érard Salle Érard The salle Érard () is a music venue located in Paris, 13 rue du Mail in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. It is part of the hôtel particulier which belonged, from the 18th century, to the family of piano, harp and harpsichord manu ...
'' (Paris). Although he had mauled Franck's oratorio ''Rédemption'' some years earlier,
Édouard Colonne Édouard Juda Colonne (23 July 1838 – 28 March 1910) was a French conductor and violinist, and a champion of the music of Berlioz and other eminent 19th-century composers. Life and career Colonne was born in Bordeaux, the son and grandson ...
was appointed to conduct. ''Les Éolides'' were well received by the public. A revival of the piece in February 1882 under
Charles Lamoureux Charles Lamoureux (; 28 September 183421 December 1899) was a French conductor and violinist. Life He was born in Bordeaux, where his father owned a café. He studied the violin with Narcisse Girard at the Paris Conservatoire, taking a ''prem ...
's baton might have impelled Franck to compose his next symphonic poem, ''
Le Chasseur maudit (''The Accursed Huntsman'') is a symphonic poem by César Franck. The sections of the work are: # The Peaceful Sunday Landscape # The Hunt # The Curse # The Demons' Chase The piece is scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-f ...
'', and the orchestral colours of ''Les Éolides'' made their way into his last instalment in that genre, ''Psyché'' (1888).


Instrumentation

;Woodwinds *2 Flutes *2 Oboes *2 Clarinets (in A) *2 Bassoons ;Brass *2 Horns (in E) *2
Cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. There is also a soprano cor ...
s (in E) *2 Trumpets (in E) ;Percussion *Timpani *
Suspended cymbal Classical suspended cymbal A suspended cymbal is any single cymbal played with a stick or beater rather than struck against another cymbal. Common abbreviations used are "sus. cym.," or "sus. cymb." (with or without the period). Most drum ki ...
;Harp ;Strings *Violins *Violas *Cellos *Basses


Structure

''Les Éolides'' is a
symphonic poem A symphonic poem or tone poem is a piece of orchestral music, usually in a single continuous movement, which illustrates or evokes the content of a poem, short story, novel, painting, landscape, or other (non-musical) source. The German term ( ...
with a complex structure slightly resembling the
sonata form The sonata form (also sonata-allegro form or first movement form) is a musical form, musical structure generally consisting of three main sections: an exposition, a development, and a recapitulation. It has been used widely since the middle of t ...
. There are three main themes, two of which are in
A major A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps. Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor. The A major scale is: Changes needed for the ...
(that is the first subject), while the last is stated in
F minor F minor is a minor scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature consists of four flats. Its relative major is A-flat major and its parallel major is F major. Its enharmonic equivalent, E-sharp ...
(second subject). A long development section begins with a new statement of the second theme, but it soon gives place for proper thematic development, ending with a slower tempo section based mainly on the third theme (
E major E major is a major scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps. Its relative minor is C-sharp minor and its parallel minor is E minor. Its enharmonic equivalent, F-flat maj ...
). In the recapitulation the A major themes return, and a slower tempo section is heard again, this time in the home key (thus it can be said to be a proper sonata form). After this comes a short coda. The first theme (''Allegretto vivo'') gives thematic material for the whole piece. It is a lilting ascending melody played by the strings and then accompanied by the woodwinds. However, one soon realises that it is a
motto A motto (derived from the Latin language, Latin , 'mutter', by way of Italian language, Italian , 'word' or 'sentence') is a Sentence (linguistics), sentence or phrase expressing a belief or purpose, or the general motivation or intention of a ...
and serves as just an introduction to the main (second) theme, which is much more joyful and vigorous. This theme consists of three sections: the most important is the first one (ascending; bars 79–90), while the second (descending; 103–110) is just an answer for it and a transition to the third, that is built around the tonic (111–118). Their statement is followed by a characteristic 'windy' motive in the woodwinds, which is used much in later portions of the work, mostly to accompany other melodies, but sometimes independently. The music reaches its summit, and now comes the motto theme again, triumphant, with elegant harp arpeggios supporting its breathings. The woodwinds motive emerges to the foreground, and at last the key changes to Franck's favourite
F minor F minor is a minor scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature consists of four flats. Its relative major is A-flat major and its parallel major is F major. Its enharmonic equivalent, E-sharp ...
. Upon this the clarinet introduces the sorrowful third theme (171–180). The same motive accompanies the development section. It begins with the main theme in A major, whose second section is omitted, and the first one is reworked again and again. After a climax the motto theme enters in
C major C major is a major scale based on C, consisting of the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. C major is one of the most common keys used in music. Its key signature has no flats or sharps. Its relative minor is A minor and its parallel min ...
, played by horns and violins. It is rounded by the
cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. There is also a soprano cor ...
s with the third section of the main theme. The tempo becomes slower (''Un poco più lento'') to let the violins sing the third theme, now in
E major E major is a major scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has four sharps. Its relative minor is C-sharp minor and its parallel minor is E minor. Its enharmonic equivalent, F-flat maj ...
. However, it is constantly disturbed by the scattered elements of the main theme in other voices. The music modulates to A major, and the main theme rallies its forces (''Tempo I'') to begin the recapitulation. All the three sections of this theme are heard. The remnants of the woodwinds motive lead to the motto theme, played at first in E and then in A major. It goes directly into another slow tempo section (''Un poco più lento''), where the third theme is given in the home key. In the coda (''Tempo del inizio'') the motto and the main theme are heard simultaneously. The woodwinds motive marks a transition to the third theme concluding the piece.


Recordings

*(rel. 1954) Walter Goehr,
Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra The Netherlands Philharmonic () is a Dutch symphony orchestra based in Amsterdam. History The Netherlands Philharmonic was formed as the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra in 1985 from the merger of three orchestras: the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orc ...
— (LP) Concert Hal
H-2
*(rec. 1962)
André Cluytens Augustin Zulma Alphonse "André" Cluytens (, ; 26 March 19053 June 1967)Baeck E. ''André Cluytens: Itinéraire d’un chef d’orchestre.'' Editions Mardaga, Wavre, 2009. was a Belgian-born French conducting, conductor who was active in the conce ...
,
National Orchestra of Belgium The Belgian National Orchestra (, ) is a Belgian orchestra, based in Brussels. Its principal concert venue is the Brussels Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR). The orchestra also gives concerts outside Brussels in such cities as Sankt-Vith and Hasselt. ...
— (LP) Columbiabr>SAXF 959
(CD)
EMI EMI Group Limited (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...
br>5 65153-2
*(rec. 1967?)
Jean Fournet Jean Fournet (14 April 1913 – 3 November 2008) was a French flautist and conducting, conductor. Biography Fournet was born in Rouen in 1913. His father was a flutist who gave him some instruction on the flute and music theory. Fournet was t ...
,
Czech Philharmonic The Czech Philharmonic () is a symphony orchestra based in Prague. Its principal performing venue is the Rudolfinum concert hall. History The name "Czech Philharmonic Orchestra" appeared for the first time in 1894, as the title of the orche ...
— (LP)
Supraphon Supraphon Music Publishing is a Czech record label, oriented mainly towards publishing classical music and popular music, with an emphasis on Czech and Slovak composers. History The Supraphon name was first registered as a trademark in 1932. Th ...
br>ST 50800
*(© 1967)
Ernest Ansermet Ernest Alexandre Ansermet (; 11 November 1883 – 20 February 1969)"Ansermet, Ernest" in '' The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 435. was a Swiss conductor. Biography Anserme ...
,
Orchestre de la Suisse Romande The Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (OSR) is a Swiss symphony orchestra, based in Geneva at the Victoria Hall. In addition to symphony concerts, the OSR performs as the opera orchestra in productions at the Grand Théâtre de Genève. History ...
— (LP)
Decca Decca may refer to: Music * Decca Records or Decca Music Group, record label * Decca Gold, classical music record label owned by Universal Music Group * Decca Broadway, musical theater record label * Decca Studios, recording facility in West ...
br>SXL 6310
(CD) Eloquence (Decca
480005-2
*(© 1975) Paul Strauss, Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège — (LP) La Voix de son maître (
EMI EMI Group Limited (formerly EMI Group plc until 2007; originally an initialism for Electric and Musical Industries, also referred to as EMI Records or simply EMI) was a British transnational conglomerate founded in March 1931 in London. At t ...

2C 069-14009
(CD)
Ricercar A ricercar ( , ) or ricercare ( , ) is a type of late Renaissance and mostly early Baroque instrumental composition. The term ''ricercar'' derives from the Italian verb , which means "to search out; to seek"; many ricercars serve a preludial func ...
br>RIS 009058/059
*(© 1976?)
Daniel Barenboim Daniel Moses Barenboim (; born 15 November 1942) is an Argentines, Argentine-Israeli classical pianist and conductor based in Berlin, who also has Spain, Spanish and State of Palestine, Palestinian citizenship. From 1992 until January 2023, Bare ...
,
Orchestre de Paris The Orchestre de Paris () is a French orchestra based in Paris. The orchestra currently performs most of its concerts at the Philharmonie de Paris. History In 1967, following the dissolution of the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du ...
—
Deutsche Grammophon Deutsche Grammophon (; DGG) is a German classical music record label that was the precursor of the corporation PolyGram. Headquartered in Berlin Friedrichshain, it is now part of Universal Music Group (UMG) since its merger with the UMG family of ...
437244-2 *(rec. 1985) Armin Jordan,
Sinfonieorchester Basel The Sinfonieorchester Basel (Symphony Orchestra Basel; Swiss abbreviation SOB) is a symphony orchestra based in Basel, Switzerland. Its principal concert venue is the ''Musiksaal'' of the Stadtcasino. In addition, the orchestra accompanies balle ...
—
Erato In Greek mythology, Erato (; ) is one of the Greek Muses, the inspirational goddesses of literature, science, and the arts. The name would mean "desired" or "lovely", if derived from the same root as Eros, as Apollonius of Rhodes playfully sugge ...
(LP
NUM 75251
(CD
ECD 88167
*(rec. 1992)
Kurt Masur Kurt Masur (; 18 July 192719 December 2015) was a German Conducting, conductor. Called "one of the last old-style maestros", he directed many of the principal orchestras of his era. He had a long career as the Kapellmeister of the Leipzig Gewand ...
,
New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic is an American symphony orchestra based in New York City. Known officially as the ''Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc.'', and globally known as the ''New York Philharmonic Orchestra'' (NYPO) or the ''New Yo ...
— (CD)
Teldec Teldec (Telefunken-Decca Schallplatten GmbH) is a German record label in Hamburg, Germany. Today the label is a property of Warner Music Group. History Teldec was a producer of (first) shellac and (later) vinyl records. The Teldec manufacturing ...
br>9031-74863-2
*(rec. 1995)
Roberto Benzi Roberto Benzi (born 1937) is a French conducting, conductor and former child actor. Early life Roberto Benzi was born on 12 December 1937 in Marseille, France."Benzi, Roberto (1937–...)" His parents discovered his musicality when he was very y ...
, — (CD)
Naxos Naxos (; , ) is a Greek island belonging to the Cyclades island group. It is the largest island in the group. It was an important centre during the Bronze Age Cycladic Culture and in the Ancient Greek Archaic Period. The island is famous as ...
br>8.553631
*(rec. 1995)
Raymond Leppard Raymond John Leppard (11 August 1927 – 22 October 2019) was a British-American conductor, harpsichordist, composer and editor. In the 1960s, he played a prime role in the rebirth of interest in Baroque music; in particular, he was one of the ...
,
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London, England. The RPO was established by Thomas Beecham in 1946. In its early days, the orchestra secured profitable recording contracts and important engagemen ...
— (CD) Tring International PL
TRPG070
*(rec. 2000)
Yan Pascal Tortelier Yan Pascal Tortelier (born 19 April 1947) is a French conductor and violinist. Biography Born in Paris, Tortelier is the son of the cellist Paul Tortelier, and the brother of Maria de la Pau. Tortelier began piano and violin studies at age 4. A ...
,
BBC Philharmonic The BBC Philharmonic is a national British broadcasting symphony orchestra and is one of five radio orchestras maintained by the British Broadcasting Corporation. The Philharmonic is a department of the BBC North Group division based at Media ...
— (CD) Chandosbr>CHAN 9875


Notes


References

*


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Eolides, Les Symphonic poems by César Franck 1876 compositions Compositions in A major Music based on poems