Dates: b. 1893 / d. 1918
Nationality: French
Date of composition: 1917 - 18
Period: 20th Century
Genre: Programme music
Key musical elements:
- Dynamics / texture
About Lili Boulanger
- Lili Boulanger's musical talents spotted before she could speak.
- As a child she learnt lots of instruments, including piano, violin, harp, cello and she also loved to sing.
- Aged 19, Lili entered the famous ‘Prix de Rome’ competition and became the first woman to ever win the competition.
- Lili’s sister, Nadia Boulanger, supported Lili when she composed music. Nadia was a talented musician herself and wanted to help her sister realise her musical aspirations despite her struggle with illness.
- Although Lili had a tragically short life, her music is sophisticated, energetic and exciting for both players and listeners.
About the piece
- Lili Boulanger's musical energy and youthful passion can be heard in D’un matin de printemps, which translates as ‘Of a Spring morning’.
- This piece is an example of ‘Impressionist’ music, which focusses on the mood and emotion in music. The Impressionist style was particularly popular amongst French musicians, including Debussy. It is also a style of painting made famous by artists such as Monet and Renoir.
- Boulanger captures the colours of spring in her music making some parts full of shadows and others full of light.
Listen out for
- The melody in the flute at the beginning and how it is played by different instruments throughout the piece.
- Busy musical lines for every instrument, creating an interesting musical texture.
- The different dynamics that add colour to the music. Some parts are strong, bright and alert whilst others are softer, more dreamlike and mysterious.
- Towards the end the music builds in dynamics to a sparking finish.
Watch the films
Classroom resources
Download the lesson plan for four weeks of learning and activities for D'un matin de printemps (PDF)
Download the Powerpoint slides for four weeks of learning and activities for D’un matin de printemps (PPT)
Listen to the ý Concert Orchestra performance of D'un matin de printemps (mp3)
Upload and showcase your creative responses
Upload your creative responses to the ý Ten Pieces Showcase
Arrangements
The arrangements of D'un matin de printemps by Fiona Brice are for Grade 3 and above players. The different levels are interchangeable.
.
Grade 3-5
Grade 5 and above
Explore the seasons
KS1 / KS2 Geography: The seasons
This animated video explores the four seasons and how they change.
The changing seasons
A look at what happens to different landscapes through the four seasons.