Canteloube, Josephe. (1879-1957)

"Hymne des Gaules" - Autograph Musical Manuscript

Autograph musical manuscript. Title; 4 pp. Song for voice and piano, a setting of a poem by Phileas Lebesgue, "La Harpe de Merlin chante a travers la lande." Marked "Mouvement de marche" and "Avec elan et fierte," in A Major, 2/4 time, 51 measures (plus 4 more « pour finir »), followed by musical passages identified as couplets number 2 to 5, the voice line only, each approx. 33 additional measures.

Carefully noted in black ink on manuscript paper of 20 lines/page, dated at the conclusion "Paris, 1934." The manuscript was used to produce the printed edition by Heugel in 1934. In very fine condition.

Canteloube is chiefly known for his Chants d'Auvergne, the traditional folk-songs he gathered over many years on his travels around his native region, and which he went on to harmonize and orchestrate. In fact he composed many other works, in a range of genres, from symphonic and chamber pieces to full-scale operas, as well as numerous additional anthologies of songs from around France, including the present ""Hymne des Gaules." Of his harmonizations, he wrote: "Though the peasants sing without accompaniment, this is not reason enough to imitate their practice. When they sing, working in the fields, bringing in the harvest, their song is accompanied by something beyond the ken of those who wish to remain "scientific". It can only be heard by artists and poets, and, alas, not even by all of them. It comes from nature herself, from the earth, and peasant song cannot be separated from it…" (11994)

AMQS Song