Une petite plaisanterie - Philippe Malhaire

One winter morning, the narrator convinces her suitor to sled down a hill with her. As she descends, she whispers “I love you”, leaving the young man in doubt: are these words coming from her or from the wind? Years later, this memory remains engraved in her mind...

Une petite plaisanterie is a work for mezzo-soprano or soprano and piano, inspired by Chekhov's short story of the same name. This cantata transposes the subtlety and melancholy of the text into music, exploring the depths of memories and regrets through intimate, story-like music.

Lasting 17 minutes, this original format - a new musical setting being rare in the vocal repertoire - is ideal for concert performance. Sung with very little vibrato, Une petite plaisanterie takes a natural, uncluttered approach to the voice, somewhere between melody and song. The range, from C3 to G4 (like Debussy's Mélisande), allows each voice - mezzo or soprano - to bring a different light to the work.

Une petite plaisanterie
based on A. Tchekhov
for mezzo-soprano or soprano & piano

Duration: 17'