Chanson de Matin

Structure#

Allegretto, 2/4, G major \relative c’ \new Staff \with \remove “Time_signature_engraver” \key g \major \time 2/4 g4–\markup \dynamic p \italic dolce g– g8( fis) e( fis16 g) d8( c) a4~ a2 b'4–\markup \italic poco cresc. b– b8( a) g( a16 b) g8( fis) d4~> > Elgar being a violinist himself, the main melody of the piece is scored for the aforesaid instrument. Following a short two-bar introduction on the piano the violin soars high with a G and sings the first part of the song. Following this the piano takes the baton for a short passage before handing it back to the violinist. This pattern happens once again. As the ending comes, the violin sings an accentuated G, then B as the piano slowly brings it to a close. It means ‘morning song’

Instrumentation#

Elgar scored Chanson de Matin (and Chanson de Nuit) for a small orchestra consisting of one flute, one oboe, two clarinets, one bassoon, two horns, the string section, and a harp.

Arrangements#

The work is most well known in its original setting and the composer’s orchestral version. The most important are his arrangements for cello and piano, and for viola and piano; and by his friend A. Herbert Brewer for organ. There are arrangements for other instruments, including oboe and piano, recorder ensemble (Dom Gregory Murray), brass quintet (Roger Harvey), and for brass band and wind band. There is an adaptation for voice and piano published in 1960, “Haste ye feathered songsters”, to words by Laurence Swinyard.

References#

• • • Score, Elgar: Chanson de Matin, Novello & Co., London, 1897, 1899.

External links#

• • • Elgar Society website: Chansons de Matin et de Nuit

Performances on video#

• Gerald Elias and Marjorie Janove - Violin and Piano
• Cuarteto Assai- String Quartet
• Robert Finlay - Piano
• Denis Bouriakov and John Reid - Flute and Piano