Conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann, the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performs Georges Bizet’s L’Arlésienne (usually translated as ‘The Girl from Arles’). This performance was recorded at the Stockholm Concert Hall in October 2014. The work is an incidental music to Alphonse Daudet’s play L’Arlésienne. Daudet’s play formed the basis of the Italian opera L’arlesiana (1897), with text by Leopoldo Marenco, and music by Francesco Cilea. The play’s first performance was on 1 October 1872 at the Vaudeville Theatre (now known as the Paramount Theatre).
Georges Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suites
Georges Bizet composed the L’Arlésienne suites as incidental music for Alphonse Daudet’s play L’Arlésienne (The Girl from Arles) in 1872. While the play itself was not successful, Bizet’s music received great acclaim and has since become a staple of the orchestral repertoire. The suites were arranged from the original score, with the first suite being arranged by Bizet himself and the second by his friend Ernest Guiraud after Bizet’s death, using additional material from the original music.
Both suites contain a mix of folk-inspired melodies and lush orchestration, reflecting the rustic, Provençal setting of the play. Bizet incorporates folk songs of the region, creating music that is lively, dramatic, and full of character. The suites are often performed in concert halls due to their rich melodies and captivating rhythms.
Suite No. 1
- Prélude, Allegro deciso (the March of the Kings). A dramatic opening, featuring a recurring theme that represents the tragic character of L’Arlésienne. It alternates between intense and calm sections, showcasing a range of emotions.
- Minuet, Allegro giocoso. It is a graceful and elegant dance with a distinctive lilting rhythm, offering a lighter, more refined contrast to the darker Prélude. The ending of this movement is slightly expanded from the version in the incidental music.
- Adagietto. A tender, lyrical movement led by the strings and harp, evoking a serene and contemplative atmosphere, full of warmth and emotion. In the incidental music, this number is preceded and followed by a melodrama that, in the suite, forms the central section of the concluding Carillon. For this purpose, it is transposed up a semitone.
- Carillon, Allegro moderato. This vibrant movement mimics the sound of church bells through orchestration, creating an energetic and festive atmosphere that builds to an exuberant climax.
Suite No. 2
- Pastorale. A calm, rustic movement that captures the essence of rural life in Provence, featuring folk-like melodies and a peaceful, pastoral atmosphere.
- Intermezzo. A lively, upbeat piece, often performed as a stand-alone, marked by energetic rhythms and contrasting sections that convey a sense of drama and movement.
- Minuet. A refined dance, similar in style to the first suite’s Minuetto, but with more playful and light-hearted melodies.
- Farandole. A vigorous and lively dance, combining Provençal folk tunes with fast-paced rhythms, ending the suite with a joyful and triumphant flair.
Sources
- L’Arlésienne (Bizet) on Wikipedia
- L’Arlésienne (Bizet, Georges) on the International Music Score Library Project website
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