Video of the Day: Mélodie for two
Jonathan Whiting
Monday, November 13, 2023
À deux voix: Adriana González and Marina Viotti sing Paladilhe
After Friday's Gymnopédie we are continuing with the French theme - this time a performance of Au bord de l'eau by lesser known French composer Émile Paladilhe. This duet features on 'À deux voix' a newly released album of late French romantic duets performed by soprano Adriana González and mezzo-soprano Marina Viotti accompanied by pianist Iñaki Encina Oyón.
A contemporary of Fauré and Massenet, Émile Paladilhe (1844 - 1926) was a prolific composer of all genres from symphonies and cantatas to one of the last grand operas. Au bord de l'eau is one of the hundreds of Mélodies (a French art song, similar to the German Lieder) he wrote over his lifetime. Setting the words of French poet Sully Prudhomme, Au bord de l'eau or 'At the Water's Edge' is a pastoral poem that paints a scene of nostalgic serenity whilst sat by a stream. The same poem was also set by Fauré in 1875.
'À deux voix' (Audax Records) is out now and can be heard below via Apple Music