Op. 76: Six Romances sans paroles

Publisher: Enoch & Costallat
Date: 1893
Instrumentation: Piano

1. Souvenance 2. Élévation 3. Idylle.4. Églogue 5. Chanson Bretonne 6. Meditation.

Six Romances sans paroles (Enoch plate 2221) is a set of lyrical piano miniatures following in the tradition Felix Mendelssohn bearing the same title. The set later transcribed by the composer in 1923.

Souvenance is dedicated to the composer and piano pedagogue J. A. Wiernsberger. After passionate surges, this first piece closes on a calm, suspended note.

Élévation (Enoch plate 2222) is dedicated to Dr. Paul Landovsky. Orchestrated by Victor Charmettes in 1903 (Enoch plate 8015).

Idylle (Enoch plate 2223) is dedicated to Henri Kaiser.

Églogue (Enoch plate 2224) is dedicated to the pianist, composer, and teacher George Falkenberg. The continuous accompaniment of eighth notes, syncopations, and the frequent melodic repetitions evoke the character of a lullaby.

Chanson Bretonne (Enoch plate 2225) is dedicated to Adolphe Wouters, piano professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Brussels. This piece marked marcatissimo remind us of Breton folk music. This piece was also transcribed to violin and piano by Chaminade in 1924 (Enoch 6850). Orchestrated by Rudd in 1893.

The final piece of the set, Méditation, (Enoch plate 2226) is dedicated to pianist, composer, and teacher Charles René. This piece is full of contemplative expressive pianistic writing.