Prière, Op. 48 No. 2

Théodore-César Salomé (20 January 1834 – 26 July 1896) was born in Paris. He completed all of his musical studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, under the tutelage of François Bazin for harmony and accompaniment, and François Benoist for organ. He won several honorable awards, including: second prize in harmony (1855), second prize in organ and in harmony (1856), second and third prize in harmony and organ (1857), and second prize in harmony (1859). His cantata Atala was awarded the premier Second Grand Prix of the Prix de Rome in 1861. In the same year Théodore Dubois was awarded the first grand prize, and Eugène Anthiome and Titus Constantin won the deuxième Second Grand Prix. He was highly regarded, and served as "Choir Organist" at La Trinite in Paris for many years.

"Prière" is the second of the set of "Dix Piéces, Op. 48" which were published in 1892. It has a sincere sweetness to it, and is kept in check by a classical balance.

I have followed the composer's registrations, but was a little "troubled" by the fact the the Positif strings are big, and not under expression, and the Voix Humaine of the Recit is positively LOUD, but, I could not dispense with them as they are an integral part of the piece and the period.

I really like Salomé's "pure romantic" writing, and I think I MAY do more of Op. 48... :-)

Rather than try to squeeze in some interesting facts, I'll give the link, so you can read the whole story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Théodore_Salomé

I chose Metz as it still my favorite of the French sets.

The score is attached, as well as two photos of Salomé, and a photo of La Trinite in all it's glory.