Voicing: SATB, Piano
Composed by Jules Massenet
Edited by Richard Bloesch
Series Editor: William Hatcher
Chansons des Bois d 'Amaranthe
(Songs from the Amaranth Woods)
Jules Massenet
Jules Massenet (1842–1912) is remembered today for several operas that remain in the active repertoire (especially Herodiade, Manon, Le Cid, Werther, and Thais). His other vocal works are less well known. In addition to four large sacred oratorios, Massenet composed a number of religious and secular choral works, including a Requiem Mass. More than 200 songs flowed from his pen. To a subset of works written for vocal duos, trios, and quartets belongs Chansons des Bois d'Amaranthe, his first cycle for vocal quartet. It was composed in 1900 and published in 1901. In the last decade of his life, Massenet often performed this work, sometimes as conductor, at other times as pianist.