Description

Mel Bonis (1858–1937) was born into a modest Parisian family. As a child, her musical talent was reluctantly supported by her family after her teacher – César Franck – convinced them to allow her to study at the Paris Conservatoire. She was never able to complete her studies as her parents ordered her into a marriage with a music-averse businessman, which resulted in a prolonged break from composing as she became burdened by the domestic expectations placed upon her. 

Several years later, she returned to composing and wrote over 300 musical works. Almost all of her compositions were published during her lifetime, a testament to the high regard she was held in as a musician.

Bonis’ Cinq pieces was originally written for piano and was first published in 1897. Each short work portrays contrasting characters, with charming melodies and transparent accompaniment. The suite opens with a brooding and tumultuous ‘Gai Printemps’, followed by the sublime lilting melody of ‘Romance sans paroles’. A spritely ‘Menuet’ marks the middle of the pieces, before the deeply mournful and pastoral ‘Eglogue’. The work seems to float off with the final movement, ‘Papillons’.

1. Gai Printemps
2. Romance sans paroles
3. Menuet
4. Eglogue
5. Papillons