Various art song pieces, composed over the years. These poets have been of great support to me in some way or another or represent some mood or era I experienced once. Some are early works and others came at later stages.
Discipline for voice and piano, text by English Metaphysical poet George Herbert (1593-1633)
Throw away thy rod, Throw away thy wrath: O my God, Take the gentle path. For my heart’s desire Unto thine is bent: I aspire To a full consent. Not a word or look I affect to own, But by book, And thy book alone. Though I fail, I weep: Though I halt in pace, Yet I creep To the throne of grace. L’Azoth Des Philosophes for Voice and Piano,
Latin text taken from the cipher "Vitriol" attributed to the alchemist Basilius Valentinus (15th Century) Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem Rough translation: Visit the interior of the earth, purifying it you will find the hidden stone. |
A Rare Rose for Piano and Voice. I picked a rose from a bouquet. Its petals were soft and smooth, Her face came to my mind It was delicate just like a rose. The fragrance was soft and sweet. Bringing memories of the past, It reminds me of her many years ago, As she held me close with understanding. I miss her even though she is here. She gave me love through the years. My heart still cries happy tears, Each time I hear her voice. Oh, Mother you are and shall always be, The first love in my heart. Poem by Phillip Leach, thank you for the kind permission to use this text by Ginger Jones-Robinbson. |
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Ore, Fermate il Volo for Baritone & Guitar.
Ore, fermate il volo Nel lucido oriente, Mentre s'en vola il ciel rapidamente; E, carolando intorno A l'alba matutina Ch'esce da la marina, L'umana vita ritardate e'l giorno. E voi, Aure veloci, Portate i miei sospiri Là dove Laura spiri E riportate a me sue chiare voci, Sì che l'ascolti io solo, Sol voi presenti e'l signor nostro Amore, Aure soavi ed Ore. Italian text by Torquato Tasso (d. 1595) |
Let Me Not Forget for Voice and Piano.
Let me not forget to pluck the petals of a rose After its bloom has gone. Let me not forget to kiss my lips with rosy morn. Let me not forget that evening shadows come When sunset's glory wanes and fades Let me not forget that stars are overhead Fancy's Garden and Other Poems (1924) Luisa Re Mondini (1883-1963) |
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On The Embankment. For Voice & Guitar
A mist on the darkened river Falls: in the rippled stream The yellow lights shake and quiver, The red lights quiver and gleam. For us in the maze of error, More weak than the wind-swept foam, The lights in the stream's dark mirror Seem lights of a perfect home. The tranquil river is going Down to the tranquil sea, And ah that its waves were flowing Silently over me! Theodore Wratislaw, (d.1933) |
Vita de la mia vita for voice and guitar
Vita de la mia vita, tu mi somigli pallidetta oliva, o rosa scolorita. Né di beltà sei priva, ma in ogni aspetto tu mi sei gradita, o lusinghiera, o schiva. E se mi segui o fuggi, soavemente mi consumi e struggi. Torquato Tasso (d. 1595) |
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