The Music of Albert Roussel

Vocalises, no opus number
for voice and piano

Aria Number 2 (i.e, Vocalise No. 2)
for oboe, or clarinet, or flute, or violin, etc. and piano

Written: 1927-28 Premiered:
No. 1: December 20, 1928, Mlle J. Darnay
No. 2: Paris, April 13, 1929
       Régine de Lormoy, Pierre Maire
Length:
No. 1, 2 minutes
No. 2, 2.5 minutes		 Two vocalises
No. 2 arranged for various instruments and piano, as Aria No. 2
Publisher:
No. 1, Lemoine
No. 2, Leduc		 Dedication:
No. 1, none
No. 2, Mme Régine de Lormoy

About this Work:

Vocalises, or songs without words, enjoyed a spate of popularity between the two World Wars. Roussel wrote two examples designed to practice particular vocal skills. The first vocalise, with lively interval leaps, is a test of intonation; the second, with a beautiful, flowing melody, is a test of smooth phrasing, control and nuance.

From these short descriptions of the two vocalises, you can probably surmise which has enjoyed the more enduring popularity: the second. However, this piece is less familiar as a vocal work than in a wide variety of arrangements for solo instruments and piano made by Roussel's Belgian friend, Arthur Hoérée; in this format, it is known as Aria No. 2. Hoérée also made an orchestral arrangment of Aria No. 2 for voice and small orchestra. The Aria's popularity is well-deserved, for it contains a beautiful, easily-accessible melody that drives the piece to a greater extent than is usual in Roussel's work.

Other opinions:

The Aria No.2... has a traditional three-part A-B-A song form and a dance-like, friendly character. [Per Skans]

Pure, luminous and admirably lithe.... [the vocalises] show that Roussel remained a real composer even in the humblest works. [Dom Angelico Surchamp]

These "Vocalises" are beautifully written and singers need not fear that they are but playing a subordinate role. [Norman Demuth]

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