Obscure Music Monday: Holmès' Violon d'amour

Augusta Holmès (Dec. 18, 1847 - Jan. 28 1903) was a pianist and composer, born in Paris, and of Irish descent. Despite showing great talent as a child, she wasn't allowed to take piano at the Paris Conservatory. Instead she took private piano lessons with Mademoiselle Peyrnnet, and later on, harmony and counterpoint with Henri Lambert, and composition lessons with Hyacinthe Klosé. Holmès became a student of César Frank in 1876, and considered him her greatest teacher.

Holmès wrote for many different genres, including chamber music; one such work was Violon d'amour. This charming piece for violin, piano, and voice begins with a dramatic and commanding line in the piano, before the violin has its own dramatic entrance. That line peaks and then slithers down, and not long after, the vocal line comes in. The violin doubles for a while, and then has an accompanying line to this lovely and romantic vocal part. It's a lush work that ends very sweetly.

We haven't found a recording of this lovely work yet; we hope that changes soon!