Description
The French composer and violinist Benjamin Godard (1849-1895) was considered a child prodigy and was – like Saint-Säens before him – often compared to the young Mozart. Sadly, despite his prolific output, his legacy as a composer rests with just one piece – the Berceuse from the opera Jocelyn, which premiered in Brussels in 1888. Set in late 18th century Grenoble and the surrounding mountains Jocelyn tells the story of an impossible love between a priest and a young woman amidst the French Revolution.
The Berceuse is a lullaby for tenor sung by the titular character and begins “Oh! ne t’éveille pas encore”. In English it is commonly known as Angels Guard Thee. The Berceuse has been recorded countless times by many eminent singers.
Godard produced an arrangement of the piece for cello and piano in 1896. Another version for violin, a second violin/cello and piano by the Swedish organist and pianist Alfred Roth was published in 1908, and it is this version that forms the basis for this arrangement for wind trio (flute/oboe, clarinet and bassoon).
