Déclamé

As Printed on a Score

Printed over a vocal line, usually at its start, as Déclamé or unaccented declame. It governs the delivery of the phrase or section until a marking such as chanté, or a new character word, returns the singer to lyrical singing.

Also spelled: declame

How Composers Use It

It asks the singer to project the words as declamation — clear diction and speech rhythm leading, with pitch and line slightly subordinate — closer to the orator than to legato song. Satie heads a song with it where the text needs gravity rather than lyrical flow. It is the French counterpart of declamando; mark chanté where you want the line to sing again.

Example

Satie, 4 Petites mélodies, “Élégie”, voice, m. 1: “Déclamé”, at p, while the piano is marked “Lent”.

Related Terms