The sole song cycle published by Jean Langlais, these ?ve pieces were written for mezzo-soprano, in this case, Janine Collard who inspired the work and to whom it is dedicated. In this cycle, the composer imposes a style marked by simplicity in which the voice and accompaniment counterbalance each other quite naturally. Based on some of Ronsard's and Baïf's most beautiful love sonnets, Jean Langlais lets his natural talent for harmony and melody blossom in total freedom and, by way of a signature, slips in certain musical phrasings and cadences that were current at the time of the poets of the Pleiad.
Marie-Louise Langlais
Extract from CD booklet Musique de Chambre avec Piano (March 2001)
