Rêve vécu op. 140

This waltz of 1892, full of tenderness, was described by its composer as a ‘pièce romantique’. It does indeed contain elements reminiscent of Chopin, alongside some of the opulent harmonies of early Debussy, dotted with seventh and ninth chords. It is dedicated to Jacques Durand, son of Auguste Durand and joint founder of the publishing firm A. Durand & fils, which opened in 1891 and published a large portion of Godard’s works. With its evocative title (A dream come true), it is a perfect illustration of the genre piece that made its appearance in the 1840s, while its characteristic rhythm pays tribute to the most famous dance of the nineteenth century, introduced to France during the First Empire, whose popularity was to remain undimmed until the First World War.