One of the world's greatest encore pieces, the “Meditation” comes from the opera Thaïs, written by French composer Jules Massenet in 1893.Thaïs is based on a novel by the French author Anatole France, which tells of a fourth-century Egyptian courtesan called Thaïs, who was converted to Christianity by a hermit monk who lived in the desert, and eventually became a saint. In the view of his biographer Hugh Macdonald, Massenet's main influences were Gounod and Thomas, with Meyerbeer and Berlioz also important to his style. Thaïs (pronounced tah-eess / ta:'i:s) is an opera in three acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Louis Gallet based on the novel Thaïs by Anatole France. The public anxiously awaited his output, and Massenet became both wealthy and famous practicing his craft. This happens as Massenet writes ‘Poco a Poco Appassionato’ in the central section. Rather than signifying a happy conclusion, it precedes the final, tragic section culminating in the death of Thaïs. Your email address will not be published. As the soloist enters the accompaniment remains stable, albeit bare. Jules Massenet's Thais takes place 4th century Egypt. The orchestra and solo violin then play Meditation as a segue into the next scene. Download the new iPad app to watch on your TV with Apple TV via AirPlay. Violin - Rusanda Panfili Piano - Donka Angatscheva Recorded live in Bank Austria Salon, Vienna17.03.2016 Find album reviews, stream songs, credits and award information for Jules Massenet: Thaïs - Jesus Etcheverry on AllMusic - 2004 As the soloist enters the accompaniment remains stable, albeit bare. This recording of Massenet's 1894 opera Thaïs was taken from concert performances at Toronto's Roy Thomson Hall. While she ultimately achieves salvation, he He is best known for his operas, which were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century; they afterwards fell into oblivion for the most part, but have undergone periodic revivals since the 1980s. Even among a group of classical music experts, you’d be hard pushed to find anyone who could instantly tell you the plot of French composer Jules Massenet’s relatively unknown opera Thaïs. Imogen Holst ‘String Quintet’: A Late Entry, Yasushi Akutagawa ‘Trinita Sinfonica’: Times Three, Walter Leigh ‘Concertino for Harpsichord & Strings’: The French Connection, Johannes Brahms ‘Hungarian Dance No.11’: A Slow Dance. Her oeuvre is comprised of Read more…, Yasushi Akutagawa: Trinita Sinfonica Context Composed during a period of Yasushi Akutagawa’s career where his music became influenced by some of the foremost Russian composers. This effect gives an ethereal feel to the music as this meditative piece comes to its poignant close. Jules Massenet: Meditation Context. It was first performed at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on 16 March 1894, starring the American soprano Sybil Sanderson, for whom Massenet … From beyond France he absorbed some traits from Verdi, and possibly Mascagni, and above all Wagner. Used as an instrumental en’tract between scenes in Act II of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs, Meditation has since become a popular concert piece for violinists around the world. It is in this central section that the climax flourishes, with the orchestra uniting with the soloist. - Reorchestration of the well-known Meditation of Thaïs by Jules Massenet, made and performed by Peyber A. Medina H. Thaïs is an opera composed by Jules Massenet, on a libretto by the French Louis Gallet based on the novel Thais by Anatole France, based on his time in the historic Thais. Jules Massenet / Thais / Meditation - YouTube. is started by sustained strings and the harps. August 13, 1912) was a French composer. Today Jules Massenet is best known for the operas Manon and Werther and the solo violin Méditation, from Thaïs. Met Opera on Demand delivers instant access to more than 500 Met performances, including Live in HD videos, classic telecasts and radio broadcasts. francia zeneszerző. Jules Massenet’s opera about the power of feminine allure and the desperation of male obsession has served as a showcase for a variety of great artists in the lead roles. The orchestra and solo violin then play, Marked ‘Andante religioso’, the delicate opening to. The piece was written for solo violin and orchestra. Katie Breathwick During his lifetime, however, Massenet was one of the most prolific and celebrated operatic composers on earth. A short cadenza-like section brings the focus back onto the violin. Given the innocent and predominantly optimistic sound-world the Meditation inhabits, it’s something of a shock when heard in the context of the full opera. "Méditation" (pronounced [meditasjɔ̃]) is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules Massenet. The opera premiered at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on March 16, 1894. Massenet managed brilliantly to define Thais as an overwhelmingly likeable character always in control of her own destiny. Set in D major, the piece stays largely in this key throughout, which means no big harmonic surprises so one can focus on the beauty of the piece. 'Today I will be a courtesan; tomorrow I will be a nun.' Other articles where Thaïs is discussed: Thais: …and thence for Jules Massenet’s opera of the same name (1894). Thaïs est un opéra en trois actes de Jules Massenet, livret de Louis Gallet, d'après le roman éponyme d'Anatole France. Massenet: Thais. Instead, the work’s popularity, longevity and wide appeal are down not to anything particularly operatic, but to a six-minute instrumental section that is heard during a scene change. In that sense, the beautiful 'Meditation' for solo violin and orchestra is officially an intermezzo in opera-speak; but far from being filler music, it’s a captivating and pure performance piece in its own right.French Romantic music is often distinctive for its particularly delicate qualities and nowhere is this more evident than here. As the piece goes on and as the violin plays the theme more times, the music becomes more passionate. Jules Massenet (Composer), Renée Fleming (Performer), Thomas Hampson (Performer), Giuseppe Sabbatini (Performer), Elisabeth Vidal (Performer), Marie Devellereau (Performer), Enkelejda Shkosa (Performer), Stefano Palatchi (Performer), Yves Abel (Conductor), Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine (Orchestra) & 7 more. Leginkább operáiról híres, melyek nagyon ismertek voltak a 19. század végén és a 20. század elején, de később feledésbe merültek. Today Jules Massenet is best known for the operas Manon and Werther and the solo violin Méditation, from Thaïs. The indulgent violin solo, cushioned by dream-like harmonies from the harps and, later, a sweeping orchestra, perfectly embodies the sound of French music at the time. Need some inspiration to keep playing? És csak az 1980-as évek óta kerülnek elő ismét. EMI Classics: CDC 5571642. The public anxiously awaited his output, and Massenet became both wealthy and famous practicing his craft. During his lifetime, however, Massenet was one of the most prolific and celebrated operatic composers on earth. Required fields are marked *, Interview with Tine Thing Helselth Since the beginning of her career, Norwegian trumpeter Tine Thing Helseth has championed the trumpet repertoire amongst audiences on all six continents, meriting the highest critical praise for her soulful, Read more…, Imogen Holst: String Quintet Context As the only child of British composer, Gustav Holst, Imogen Holst (1907-1984) is fondly remembered for being a popular composer, arranger, administrator, teacher and conductor. Unlike some other French composers of the period, Massenet never fell fully under Wagner's spell, but he took from the earlier composer a richness of orchestration and a fluency in treatment of musical themes. 1am - 4am, Sailing By It is considered to be one of the great encore pieces; world-class violin soloists such as Joshua Bell, Sarah Chang, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, and Maxim Vengerov have performed the piece as soloists with major orchestras throughout the world. [130 PDF + 56 MP3 + 13 MIDI] - Jules (Émile Frédéric) Massenet (May 12, 1842 ? Rich strings gather more sound to support the soloist, with the harps still plucking away with their opening motif. Once over, the music moves back to the opening melody, which is played a notch louder by the soloist. But then, this wouldn’t be opera if it all ended happily ever after!Recommended Recording(Meditation only) Maxim Vengerov (violin); Virtuosi (orchestra); Vag Papian (conductor). Even among a group of classical music experts, you’d be hard pushed to find anyone who could instantly tell you the plot of French composer Jules Massenet’s relatively unknown opera Thaïs. During his lifetime, however, Massenet was one of the most prolific and celebrated operatic composers on earth. Thaïs is an Egyptian courtesan and actress whom the Christian monk Athanaël seeks to reform. Download 'Sailing By' on iTunes. The piece reflects Thaïs, a beautiful courtesan, reflecting on big decisions that are coming their way. The piece reflects Thaïs, a beautiful courtesan, reflecting on big decisions that are coming their way. Prime Video has you covered this holiday season with movies for the family. However, since the mid-1970s, many operas of his such as Thaïs and Esclarmonde have undergone periodic revivals. The piece is written for solo violin and orchestra. Here’s a, 96-year-old violinist playing Massenet’s Méditation from Thaïs. Marked ‘Andante religioso’, the delicate opening to Meditation is started by sustained strings and the harps. Violin: Katica Illényi Győr Philharmonic OrchestraConductor: Istvan Sillo Jules Massenet: Thaïs Méditationhttp://www.katicaillenyi.com Instead, the work’s popularity, longevity and wide appeal are down not to anything particularly operatic, but to a six-minute instrumental section that is heard during a scene change. Set in D major, the piece stays largely in this key throughout, which means no big harmonic surprises so one can focus on the beauty of the piece. Enjoy a free 7-day trial! Jules Massenet photographed by Nadar. This happens as Massenet writes ‘Poco a Poco Appassionato’ in the central section. Ronald Binge Used as an instrumental en’tract between scenes in Act II of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs, Meditation has since become a popular concert piece for violinists around the world. You might also enjoy… Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel, Your email address will not be published. As the piece begins to prepare for the end, the orchestra plays their main theme once more, with the violin soloist playing harmonics in their upper register. The piece reflects Thaïs, a beautiful courtesan, reflecting on … It is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thais by Massenet. The Story of Thais Thais, ACT 1 Cenobite monks are working and carrying on with their daily tasks as usual. Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet (May 12, 1842 – August 13, 1912) was a French composer from Montaud, France, who was best known for his operas. Although still performed to this day, it does not have a secure position in the operatic repertoire in … Today Jules Massenet is best known for the operas Manon and Werther and the solo violin Méditation, from Thaïs. Known as his ‘Sino-Soviet’ period (1947-57), Akutagawa went on cultural Read more…, Used as an instrumental en’tract between scenes in Act II of Jules Massenet’s opera, has since become a popular concert piece for violinists around the world. Although it is often performed as a concert work, the achingly beautiful strains of the Meditation originate in the opera house as an intermezzo in Massenet's masterpiece, Thaïs. As the piece goes on and as the violin plays the theme more times, the music becomes more passionate. Jules Massenet, Soundtrack: Transamerica. Jules MassenetThaisMeditationClassic FM M-Tel Radio Symphony Orchestra13 March 2006NDK SofiaMAXIM VENGEROV, ViolinConductor: … – Párizs, 1912. augusztus 13.) Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet Profile: Prolific French composer, mainly known for his operas, born 12 May 1842 in Montaud near Saint-Étienne, France and died 13 August 1912 in Paris, France. Massenet - Thaïs - The death of Thaïs (Geraldine Farrar and Pasquale Amato) - White - The Victrola book of the opera.jpg 2,313 × 1,836; 956 KB Massenet - Thaïs, act II - Thaïs and Athanael - Mairet - The Victrola book of the opera.jpg 1,006 × 1,466; 363 KB The character of Athanael, sung in this presentation by bass-baritone Michele Pertusi, is … Massenet'… read more. Jules (Émile Frédéric) Massenet (Montaud, 1842. május 12. Managed brilliantly to define Thais as an overwhelmingly likeable character always in control of her destiny... France he absorbed some traits from Verdi, and Massenet became both wealthy and famous his. Massenet: Thais `` Méditation '' ( pronounced [ meditasjɔ̃ ] ) is symphonic... To define Thais as an overwhelmingly likeable character always in control of own. Poco a Poco Appassionato ’ in the death of Thaïs, 1912 ) was French. From beyond France he absorbed some traits from Verdi, and Massenet became both wealthy and famous practicing his.. 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