Salome, Op.100

£20.60

The sixth movement from Mel Bonis’ larger-scale work Femmes de Légende (Op. 100) offers a musical portrayal of Salome, a character steeped in biblical and mythological tradition. The suite consists of seven movements, portraying various heroines, each a figure of literary or historical renown.

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.

The sixth movement from Mel Bonis’ larger-scale work Femmes de Légende (Op. 100) offers a musical portrayal of Salome, a character steeped in biblical and mythological tradition. The suite consists of seven movements, portraying various heroines, each a figure of ancient mythology, legends or dramatic works – often the victims of men’s aberrations.

Salome herself, known as the stepdaughter of King Herod, is infamous for her seductive dance, which led to her requesting the head of John the Baptist as a reward. Her story is often associated with themes of seduction, vengeance, and the dangerous allure of power. Bonis encapsulates these complex traits in her composition, crafting a vivid and evocative soundscape that brings Salome’s perilous beauty to life. Originally written for piano, the piece has been arranged for a wind dectet, including contrabassoon.

Additional information

Composer

Instrumentation

Duration

5'

Difficulty

Arranged by

ISMN

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