Original Anthem: La Marseillaise
Country: France
Style: Ballade
“Un Hymne de Paix” is a transformed reworking of the versal passages from “La Marseillaise” as a ballade.
“La Marseillaise” was composed in 1792 by Claude Jospeh Rouget de Lisle, originally as a “Chant de guerre” after war was declared by France against Austria. Officially adopted in 1795 by Revolutionary France, and subsequently renamed, it has been much used and quoted by other composers since, perhaps most famously by Tchaikovsky in his 1812 Overture, as well as politically by 18th and 19th century revolutionary movements.
It has also been a matter of considerable controversy within France, not least by a former president, Valery Giscard d’Estaing, who considered its war-rallying lyrics somewhat outdated in late 20th century Europe.
“Un Hymne de Paix” is my answer. It initially follows the original harmonic sequence of the verse quite closely but then diverges at the refrain. The melody and feel, though, are quite the opposite of the arousing original and, as the title suggests, are intended to induce a feeling of peace and calm.
Instrumentation
Clarinet: Charlie Hearnshaw
Piano: Chris Lee
Acoustic bass: Neil Todd.
