Salon Morisot: Enchantment
The Garden at Bougival 1884 by Berthe Morisot (inspiration for “Enchantment”)
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Salon Morisot is a suite of three miniatures that are inspired by the remarkable artistry of little known female French impressionist artist, Berthe Morisot (1841-1895). Morisot was highly admired by her fellow Impressionist colleagues and her works were exhibited in the very first (and many consequential) Impressionist ‘Salon’ of 1874 (a Salon being an exhibition). Many famous artists held an original Morisot artwork in their private collections including Manet, Monet, Degas and Pissarro. Morisot married Édouard Manet’s younger brother Eugene Manet and her painting styles are regarded as a driving force behind the Impressionist style. The three miniatures in this program are inspired by three Morisot artworks that depict a particular period in her life.
Enchantment: inspired by the painting ‘The Garden at Bougival’ (1884)
In late 1874 Berthe Morisot married Édouard Manet’s younger brother, Eugene. He dedicated his life to Berthe’s painting career, hence alleviating her mixed emotions about marriage. The ‘Garden at Bougival’ is 11 years on from ‘The Cradle’ and is painted in quite a different style, reflecting developments in both her professional and personal life. Her painting output was slowed due to the birth of her only child Julie, in 1878. Berthe Morisot and her family loved to holiday in Bougival (25 km West of Paris) and between 1881-1884 they rented a home in the area and spent most of their time there. It was a very happy time for the family, before the decline of her husband’s health that lead to his premature death in 1892. Hence the final movement in this suite is quite whimsical, reflecting the relaxed emotions associated with holidays as well as Berthe’s chance to equally indulge in her two passions; family and painting.
INSTRUMENTATION: please see perusal score above.
This work was commissioned by Clarkston Schools Instrumental Music Association in recognition of Shelley Schwaderer Roland's many years of dedication to the Clarkston School Music Program and the University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire), Director of Bands, Dr. John Stewart.