Bizet: L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 and 2 - An Analysis

Vince Sheehan plays key themes and discusses the structure from these attractive orchestral suites, which in turn were based on incidental music for a play. If you've enjoyed this please consider donating: paypal.me/royalvincident
Numbers below refer to bars:
Suite No. 1
1. Prélude - A; B (90); C (113); Coda (138)
2. Minuetto - A; B (26); A1 (109)
3. Adagietto - A; B (19)
4. Carillon - A; B (61); A1 (106)
Suite No. 2
1. Pastorale - A; B (45); A1 (113)
2. Intermezzo - A; B (16); A1 (46); B1 (50); Coda (59)
3. Menuet - A; B (43); A1 (67)
4. Farandole - A; B (17); C (101); Coda (222)

[@josephcole6116]

This is fascinating, I didn't know the history behind this beautiful music. I have a couple of questions; in the second suite, the part that you commented was like the Dies Irae sounds like Verdi's Requiem. Were they borrowing from the same preexisting piece? Also, I would be really interested to hear your thoughts on Sibelius' Kullervo. Thank you for making these videos!

[@josephcole6116]

I just realized I was not thinking of the Requiem but Bizet's Agnus Dei, which was apparently taken from this piece. Regardless, it was a pleasant surprise to hear it here.