Pauline Viardot-Garcia (1821-1910) - Solitude

Abstract

Like many of the Nineteenth-Century Romantic composers, Pauline Viardot-Garcia (1821-1910) was a skilled pianist, though she is best known for her vocal prowess. According to Beatrix Borchard, Viardot-Garcias's compositions often fit her vocal abilities, as well as her colleagues which includes Viardot-Garcia's piece Solitude.¹ An art song, Solitude is in French, and the text was written by Édouard Turquety (1807-1867). it was originally published in a French magazine and later included in a collection titled Dix melodies par Pauline Viardot: Album des chant pour 1850.² Viardot’s works were not often performed, and the premiere date of this piece is unknown.