Performance and Composition
Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No.3 in b minor, Op.61
piece for violin and orchestra written in March 1880. Saint-Saëns dedicated the concerto to fellow composer-virtuoso Pablo de Sarasate, who performed the solo part at the premiere in October 1880 in Hamburg.
Even though the third violin concerto seems to impose fewer technical demands on the soloist than its predecessors, its melodic invention and impressionistic subtlety present significant interpretive challenges. This stress is most notable in the second movement and the chorale of the finale, which is reminiscent of the conclusion of the Fourth Piano Concerto. Possibly because of this, the Sarasate concerto along with the Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28, and the Havanaise, Op. 83 have endured as the major concertante works for violin by Saint-Saëns still heard regularly today.
Allegro non troppo The first movement opens immediately with the solo violin, a soft movement with several energetic passages intensity.Unfolds in a straightforward sonata form with a sweetly expressive second theme expressed in delicate triplets.
Andantino quasi allegretto The slow movement opens with the violinist playing a gently rocking barcarolle, while woodwind solos surround it with zephyr breezes. Before the melody has run its course, the winds and solo violin trade roles. Throughout this songlike movement, the music never lifts its voice, finally dying away in delicate accompanimental traceries.
Molto moderato e maestoso - Allegro non troppo The finale opens with a slow introduction derived from a motif in the slow movement. Then, however, it begins a bright staccato tune with hints of Spanish color—a reminder that Saint-Saëns wrote the Concerto while visiting Spain, all the while intending it for Pablo de Sarasate, the greatest Spanish violinist of the century. The second theme is more overtly passionate in expression, though Saint-Saëns reserves this for contrast, along with a hushed melody that follows it sweetly in the strings, against the more assertive “Spanish” tune that dominates with its energy and drive.
Camille Saint-Saëns
Saint-Saëns was born 9th of October 1835 in Paris. He was a boy with a high musical talent. He was an organist, conductor and pianist. He is one of the key figures that characterises the era that divides classical and romantic music. He made his first concert debut at the age of five years old by playing accompaniment with Violin playing Beethoven Violin sonata. He joined the Paris Conservatory in 1845s. He followed a conventional career as a church organist. He became a successful freelance pianist and composer, in demand in Europe and the Americas.The youthful Saint-Saëns, pictured, studied the organ and composition at the Conservatoire de Paris. He won many top prizes and eventually gained an introduction to Franz Liszt who went on to become one of his closest friends and supporters. Liszt described Saint-Saëns as ‘the greatest organist in the world’. The composer’s formidable intellect was not limited to music. He had a profound interest in - and knowledge of - geology, botany, butterflies, and maths. He enjoyed discussions with Europe's finest scientists and wrote numerous academic articles about acoustics. Towards the end of his life, Saint-Saëns undertook a triumphant tour of America but gradually found that his style of composition was no longer regarded as being fashionable by the Parisian chattering classes. He died in Algiers on 16 December 1921. He is buried in the same Paris cemetery as his fellow composers Chabrier and Auric, as well as Cesar Franck. But today, Saint-Saëns' music is performed and loved the world over.
Composition Work
Wild Pleasure
This ten minute piece is based on my own listening experience and reflections.
Sometimes, when we travel to different places, we miss the moments we have experienced.
So, what do we do ? Some people may go back and look at old pictures, some people sit and immerse themselves in their memories. I would like to present my own memories through sound. The idea behind this composition is to let my listeners experience the beauty of nature through the soundscapes I have created. I want my audience to listen carefully and let their imagination take them to places, visualizing the many different natural sounds heard In this work. The piece is divided into 8 sections which are completely different from each other. Every time we move to a new section, we travel to a new place.
The piece includes variations on the melody and harmony of Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No.3 . My aim is to establish a connection between Saint-Saëns’ work and his inspiration from the natural world.
(you can read about my research on this subject here: https://phumthanamu.wixsite.com/shouyisomu/ju
I look at this composition as a large landscape picture, thinking about the picture and imagining the sounds that exist within that picture and how to express those imaginary places through sound, conveying . my feelings as a traveler who keeps moving to different places .
I am someone who likes to travel. I take my inspiration from my travels to natural places. The music that I create is mainly about nature. I was also inspired by Sean Penn’s movie “Into the wild”. It is my favorite movie and is based on a true story. It follows the journey of Christopher McCandles' to Alaska . This evocative film gave me the idea of creating a piece that would be like one person's journey. I use quotes from the movie throughout. I hope you will enjoy this journey.
I. Introduction
The intro of the piece is an earworm, starting with a river which gradually grows into
a Bb triad supporting the gentle sound of the stream and birds. This is the beginning of
a new journey.
II. Happiness
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods”
“ความสุขเกิดขึ้นในป่าที่ไร้หนทางเดิน”
This section conveys the warm feeling I experienced in natural places: the beauty of the trees, mountains, streams… I juxtaposed a simple and peaceful 6/8 passage from the 2nd movement of Saint-Saëns’ concerto. The natural environment becomes the orchestra accompanying the violin part, the melodies are like birds interacting with each other. We travel through shady forests, enjoying the beautiful green and leafy landscape around us.
This theme by Saint-Saëns comes in the form of accompaniment that communicates with the surrounding nature.
III. Loneliness
We now reach a quiet place under the canopy of the forest which takes us in its arms. We experience joy and warmth. The tension and chaos of the city seems very far away. After this initial feeling of warmth, loneliness settles in. Our little Bird friends are still around communicating with each other through music. I join the conversation with a simple melody from the concerto.
IV. Lonely Shore
“There is a rapture on the lonely shore”
“มีความหรรษาบนชายฝั่งที่เงียบเหงา”
Happiness and bliss depends on ourselves. The places we choose to visit and our surroundings can enhance our happiness even more. Arriving at the lonely coastline, we can only look at the emptiness at the edge of the horizon, the sound of birds and the coastal wind blowing against the traveler's body. The peaceful atmosphere almost seems to stop time. This steady tranquility gives us time to talk to ourselves.Those peaceful moments allow us to rethink the past…
In this Section, I use the theme from the first movement of the concerto where the melody is sweet and beautiful translating this time of happiness. Where we can be with ourselves. A time for reflection.
V. Violin and Bird Duet
“There is society, where none intrudes”
“มีสังคมในที่ที่ไม่มีคนบุกรุก”
Where there are no intruders, there is still a society that communicates every day. The natural world communicates. As we continue our journey, we enter a vast forest surrounded by tall trees that are almost invisible. The little creatures are talking with each other. On this warm night, we are happy to stay here and have the opportunity to communicate with nature. This evening will be a memorable night. Here I use the melody from the 2nd movement which is like a bird song. I decided to create a duet between the violin and the bird society. The peaceful and evocative chord progression from Saint Saens is played by a crystalline electric piano supporting this metaphorical conversation.
VI. Raining Night
“Happiness is meaningful when we share”
“ความสุขมีความหมายต่อเมื่อเราแบ่งปัน”
Nature is always sharing. The falling rain gives water to the trees to keep them alive. So that the tree can continue to create beauty. There will be obstacles in our journey. It is natural that sometimes our journey can be difficult. But we might find something beautiful hidden behind the hardship. On this day, We notice something beautiful within our surroundings. Close your eyes and try to listen to the sounds around you. This section uses the fierce and dark melody from the first movement, with the original orchestral tremolo replaced by the granular texture of the rain. The melody grows more intense as the rain gets heavier.
VII. In the Deep Sea
“By the deep sea, and music in its roar”
“ในทะเลลึกสุดใจยังมีเสียงดนตรีที่ก้องกังวาล”
Sometimes, in the deep sea, we can clearly hear the sounds of whales, their interaction is like music. Sometimes even the quietest places can have music hidden within them. When imagining the depths of the sea for example, we would think that we would find nothing but complete darkness and silence. We probably wouldn’t see anything there but we would still hear music through the sound of whales singing and communicating. In this section,
I chose to use the melody from the 3rd Movement that is sweet and floating, reminding me of the feeling we experience when in the middle of the sea.
VIII. “I love not man the less, But Nature more”
“I love not man the less, But Nature more”
“ฉันไม่ได้รักมนุษย์น้อยลงแต่รักธรรมชาติมากขึ้น”
Our traveler has returned to the shore. He knows that this journey is coming to an end soon. In this vast meadow, He looks as far as he can see. The hissing of the wind and grass surrounds him. Sometimes, during the journey, one is bound to get lost somewhere. But, there is always something to guide us, travels can teach us many tricks to allow us to discover something new, be it people or experiences. He lights his cigarette and gazes at the stars: “I hope this trip will be a good one” he whispers to himself.” Sometimes we are sad that our journey is coming to an end but he knows in his heart that there will be a next time. Finally, our traveler continues his journey. Many experiences are still waiting on the path ahead of him.
I hope you enjoyed this trip.
See you again...
Phumthana Mu
Performer
Violinist
Phumthana Mu
Phumthana Mu born in 1999. Began learning Violin when he was 14 year. Phumthana has been interested in music since childhood and he likes to listen to many styles of music. Phumthana joined a Music Major in grade 9. He also attended in Thai Youth Orchestra. After I graduated high school. He applied in PGVIM. Now he studies Violin in Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music. with Sittichai Pengcharoen. and attended Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music Youth Orchestra. Phumthana is interested in Composition. He studied composition with Jean-David Caillouët. learning about soundscape and recording.
Collaborative Pianist
Pingka Sirisujinte
Pingka Sirisujinte born at Chiang mai Thailand in 2000. He live in Chiang mai all time until studied at Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music. In university study at PGVIM, Pingka has study many new science of music and other subject like science of interpretation, Music and Society, Research Methodology, Music with other science and working with society by music.