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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet was born in 1842 in Montaud, St Etienne, France. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of 11, as a pupil of A Thomas, and won the Grand Prix de Rome. He spent three years in Rome then returned to Paris where he lived until he died in 1912.

He was immensely influenced by the music of Richard Wagner and used his leitmotiv device to considerable effect, in his own melodious style. In turn he was a strong influence on later musicians, particularly where the human voice was involved in compositions.

Massenet was a great composer of songs, oratorios, and operas. Among his many successes was the opera Thais, from which Meditation is taken. We came across two versions of this piece, with differently devised harmonies, and in different keys: G major and D major. Usually this is played in the higher key with a violin as solo instrument. I have taken the liberty of 'mixing and matching' the two versions, and using a viola as solo instrument in the lower key of D major.

We hope you will enjoy meditating with Jules. 

Do feel free to hum along with his beautiful melody . . .

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