Description
Godefroid La Mort d’Orphée
The Death of Orpheus
La Mort d’Orphée, a “morceau de genre” is a technically sophisticated work meant for the more advanced harpist. Godefroid dedicated it to his daughter Julia. It tackles a theme from antiquity dear to harpists and musicians alike: the tragedy of Orpheus, who had magical powers over all creatures through his music, but could not secure his own happiness. The drama unfolds from the start on an unsettling seventh chord, and rides along on a slew of minor colored chords. By the time he composed this piece, the felicitously named (Félix) Godefroid had known great grief, with the death of his most loved ones, so it is not surprising that he entrusted his raw emotions to the fingers of his only surviving daughter. Having let loose to the paroxysm, he switches gears into more heavenly spheres, pianissimo. But can he find peace and consolation? In the end, at least within the realm of the piece, he will. A facsimile edition.
Félix Godefroid (1818-1897) was the best-known concert harpist in France during the romantic era. He wrote many advanced pieces for his own recitals. But he also composed some delightful, easier gems for his students. Several of those are gathered in the two books of Pensées musicales. Heart-felt and uplifting, Godefroid’s musical writing reveals his propensity for enchanting melody, using a strong left hand.
