The Premiere of Arthur Honegger’s Danse de la Chèvre

Arthur Honegger’s Danse de la Chèvre (‘The Goat Dance’), composed in 1921, is a quintessential example of early 20th-century French flute music. Dedicated to the flutist René Le Roy, this piece reflects the era’s fascination with pastoral themes, a sentiment shared by many composers of the time, including Germaine Tailleferre, one of Honegger’s contemporaries in the group known as Les Six. Danse de la Chèvre is a brief yet evocative work that masterfully showcases the expressive capabilities of the flute.

The First Performance

Danse de la Chèvre was originally composed for the dancer Lysana and was performed within a play by Sacha Derek entitled La Mauvaise Pensée. The premiere took place on December 2, 1921, at the Nouveau Théâtre in Paris. This venue, known for its innovative and avant-garde performances, provided the perfect setting for the debut of Honegger’s imaginative and evocative composition. The performance was part of a larger theatrical production, and the music was designed to complement the visual and dramatic elements of the play.

Musical Structure and Content

The piece begins with a languorous, mysterious opening that is improvisatory in nature. This section features the interval of the tritone, historically referred to as the ‘diabolus in musica’ due to its dissonant and unsettling quality. Honegger uses this interval to create a sense of tension and intrigue, setting the stage for the subsequent dance.

As the piece progresses, the music transforms into the lively, skipping, and tripping theme that represents the main character—the goat, or perhaps the lecherous Pan, as suggested by the playful and mischievous nature of the theme. The flute’s agility is on full display, with varied articulations, trills, and chromatic passagework that ascends to a top B flat. This virtuosic writing not only highlights the technical prowess of the flutist but also captures the spirit of the character being portrayed.

After several fluctuations in tempo, where the music alternates between lively dance and reflective pauses, the piece begins to slow down once more. The dance becomes distant and disintegrated, gradually fading away until it ends with a hollow, unworldly-sounding harmonic. This final gesture leaves the listener with a sense of mystery and otherworldliness, as if the dance has transcended into another realm.

Importance and Legacy

Danse de la Chèvre holds a special place in the flute repertoire, not only because of its technical demands but also due to its evocative and programmatic qualities. The piece is a brilliant example of how music can tell a story and evoke vivid images and emotions without the need for words or elaborate orchestration.

The work’s importance also lies in its ability to capture the essence of French modernism, where composers like Honegger were exploring new ways to express traditional themes through contemporary techniques. The use of the tritone and the improvisatory nature of the opening are indicative of the experimentation that characterized much of the music of this period.

Today, Danse de la Chèvre is frequently performed and studied by flutists, serving as both a technical challenge and an artistic exploration. Its brief duration belies the depth and complexity of the emotions it conveys, making it a beloved piece in the flute repertoire.

Conclusion

The premiere of Arthur Honegger’s Danse de la Chèvre at the Nouveau Théâtre in 1921 introduced a work that continues to resonate with musicians and audiences alike. Its combination of technical brilliance and evocative storytelling has ensured its place as a cornerstone of the flute repertoire. This short yet powerful piece exemplifies Honegger’s ability to blend tradition with modernity, creating a timeless work that captures the imagination and showcases the expressive potential of the flute.