Description
Massenet Meditation from Thais for Flute and Piano
Massenet Meditation from Thais for Flute and Piano
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About
This is a beautiful arrangement of the famous ‘Meditation’ by Jules Massenet for flute and piano.
“Méditation” serves as a symphonic intermezzo within the opera Thaïs, composed by Jules Massenet, a renowned French composer. Originally written for solo violin and orchestra, this beautiful piece debuted during the premiere of the opera at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on March 16, 1894.
The Méditation is an instrumental entr’acte featured between the scenes of Act II in the opera Thaïs. During the last reprise, a wordless chorus joins in. In Act II’s first scene, Athanaël, a monk from the Cenobite order, confronts Thaïs, a captivating and hedonistic courtesan devoted to Venus. He attempts to persuade her to forsake her life of luxury and pleasure, encouraging her to seek salvation through God. It is after this encounter, during a moment of contemplation, that the Méditation is performed.
In Act II’s second scene, which follows the Méditation, Thaïs reveals to Athanaël that she allowed him to take her to a cloister near the desert.
Jules Massenet
Massenet (1842-1912), was a prominent French opera composer. Aged 11, he entered the Paris Conservatoire studying composition with opera composer, Ambroise Thomas. In 1863, his cantata “David Rizzio” won him the prestigious Prix de Rome. Subsequently, in 1867, his opera “La Grand’ Tante” marked the start of his career as an opera and incidental music composer.
Famous for his graceful and distinctly French melodies, Massenet’s most celebrated work is “Manon” (1884), based on Antoine-François, Abbé Prévost d’Exiles’ story. The opera’s sensuous melody, skillful character portrayal, and use of leitmotifs have earned it the status of a masterpiece. He also created other successful operas including “Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame” (1902), “Werther” (1892), and “Thaïs” (1894), featuring the renowned “Méditation” for violin and orchestra.
Massenet’s oeuvre reflects the various operatic trends of his time, with works like “Le Cid” (1885) displaying characteristics of French grand opera and “Le Roi de Lahore” (1877) embracing Orientalism. His compositions were also influenced by Richard Wagner and the style of verismo (a style of Italian Opera).
Besides his operas, Massenet composed notable incidental music for plays like Les Érinnyes (1873) and more than 200 songs, a piano concerto, and various orchestral suites. As a teacher at the Paris Conservatoire from 1878, he left a lasting impact on future generations of composers.
In 1912, Massenet published his autobiography, “Mes Souvenirs” (My Recollections).
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jules-Massenet
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