A Musical Glance Upon The Melodie Apres Un Reve By Faure

Abstract

Gabriel Urbain Faure, a composer of late Romanticism linked with modernism, is one of the leading French melodie composers of his genre. Melodie can be described as a French art song, similar to German lied. Harmonic progressions, chromatic shifts and sudden modulations are often seen in Faure’s music, also giving high importance to nuance and interpretation. Especially his melodie called Apres un Reve Op. 7 No. 1 is very popular because of its melancholic musical structure and romantic text. In this paper, Apres un Reve is analyzed through its harmonic structure, tonality, and the relationship between the music and the poem. The story is about a dream, also indicated by the title of the melodie. The dream is so unique and heavenly that the singer does not want to wake up and wishes to continue to see the beloved in this magical and mysterious atmosphere. The piece is originally in C minor key and has a strophic structure since the melody and the rhythm are repeated throughout the piece. Chromaticism and complex chords can easily be observed throughout the piece. The time signature of the music is 3/4, and the tempo is andantino. Triplets are often used in the music, creating a hasty atmosphere, or embellishing the beautiful elements of the poem. This melodie will definitely be performed in musical environments continuously because of Faure’s impressive approach to French Romanticism.