In this volume, we present the 25 original songs for voice and piano composed by Donostia, including those that have remained unpublished until now —A una rosa, La cigala y Bluette—, as well as those that, for editorial reasons, were out of print.

For many of these songs, Donostia chooses texts by contemporary poets, such as Apelles Mestres, and French poets like Théophile Gautier or Paul Verlaine, whose poetry reflects the same ideals that are perceived in his music. The composer’s sensitivity to the text is evident in his melodic treatment, where the vocal line faithfully follows the emotional inflections of each poem. Furthermore, it is remarkable how Donostia gives the piano accompaniment its own space in most of these songs. In works such as Ce doux murmure, Ta douceur infinie and Vocalise-Étude, the advanced harmonic resources pose a technical challenge for both the pianist and the singer.