Poème is a Classical Vocal Album of Music Inspired by Poetry.
Featuring Nine Original Compositions by Danaë Vlasse.
Artists:
Sopranos Hila Plitmann, & Sangeeta Kaur,
Pianists Robert Thies & Danaë Vlasse,
Cellist John Walz.
Featuring Nine Original Compositions by Danaë Vlasse.
Artists:
Sopranos Hila Plitmann, & Sangeeta Kaur,
Pianists Robert Thies & Danaë Vlasse,
Cellist John Walz.
HILA PLITMANN soprano
SANGEETA KAUR soprano [5,9]
ROBERT THIES piano
DANAË VLASSE piano [4,7]
JOHN WALZ cello [9]
Total Time: 58.44
Lyrics and Translations may be found below.
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1) Le Baiser
(Original Text & Translation by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse) Si court, si doux; Plus doux qu’un clair de lune balayant le silence. Plus chaleureux que le pourpre de ta voix, mais frais comme aucun autre baiser jusque-là. Plus mélancolique qu’un soupir dans ce moment toujours conscient de son âme éphémère! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) The Kiss So short, so soft; Softer than a moonbeam sweeping silence. Warmer than the crimson of your voice. but fresh as no other until then. More melancholic than a sigh in this moment always conscious of its ephemeral soul! |
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2) Demain, Dès l’Aube
By Victor Hugo From: Contemplations, 1856 Demain, dès l’aube, à l’heure où blanchit la campagne, Je partirai. Vois-tu, je sais que tu m’attends. J’irai par la forêt, j’irai par la montagne, Je ne puis demeurer loin de toi plus longtemps! Je marcherai les yeux fixés sur mes pensées, Sans rien voir au dehors, sans entendre aucun bruit, Seul, inconnu, le dos courbé, les mains croisées, Triste, et le jour pour moi sera comme la nuit. Je ne regarderai ni l’or du soir qui tombe, Ni les voiles au loin descendant vers Harfleur,* Et quand j’arriverai, je mettrai sur ta tombe, Un bouquet de houx vert et de bruyère en fleur. _____________________________________________ Translation: Danaë Xanthe Vlasse 2) Tomorrow, at Dawn Tomorrow, at dawn, at the hour when the land is pale, I’ll leave. You see, I know you are awaiting me. I’ll traverse the forest, I’ll traverse the mountain, I can stay far from you no longer! I’ll walk with my eyes fixed on my thoughts, Seeing nothing outside, hearing not a sound, Alone, unknown, my back hunched, my hands crossed, Sad, and the day for me will be like the night. I’ll not look at the gold of the dusk falling, Nor the sails in the distance descending towards Harfleur,* And when I arrive, I’ll place on your grave, A bouquet of green holly and of heather in bloom. ____________________________________________ * This poem is Victor Hugo’s account of his pilgrimage to go mourn at his daughter’s grave; Harfleur is a port North-West of Paris, which would be on his route to Villequier where she was buried. |
Raoul Dufy: Harfleur
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3) Barbara
Inspired by “Paroles” (1946) by Jacques Prévert* Original Text by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse Belle que j’appelle Barbara; un ange sans ailes qui me passa sur les pavés; une folie; moi, ébloui! Souriant malgré la pluie! Belle que j’appelle Barbara; une reine sans couronne qui régna par amour; Je te nomme, sans même connaitre ta personne. Pardonne-moi ma Barbara; tu hantes ma mémoire enchantée. Trempée de lumière, tu étais porteuse de paix! ....Oh Barbara! Je vis l’enfer! Tous les amours perdus en guerre, sont des âmes mortes dans leurs chairs! ....Oh Barbara, l’orage est passé dans nos voiles, perçant nos toiles. Tout est perdu; notre avenir est suspendu. Dans une cité dévastée, il fait froid au soleil d’été, quand nos espoirs sont oubliés, et qu’il ne reste rien. |
3) Barbara
English Translation by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse Beauty whom I call Barbara; a wingless angel passing by me on the cobblestones; a folly; me, blinded! Smiling in spite of the rain! Beauty whom I call Barbara; a queen without a crown reigning with love; I name you, without ever knowing you. Forgive me my Barbara; you haunt my enchanted memories. You were drenched in light, bringing peace! ....Oh Barbara! I am living in hell! All the loves lost in war, are souls that have perished in their flesh! ....Oh Barbara, the storm has passed in our sails, piercing our tapestries. All is lost; our future is suspended. In a city devastated, it is cold in the summer sun, when our hopes are forgotten, and nothing is left. |
* Inspired by Paroles (1946) by Jacques Prévert
This poem recounts a personal experience by the poet Jacques Prévert, a luminary of French literature, who experienced the devastation of his city shattered by war (WWII). This poem recounts the chance encounter of Jacques with a mysterious woman he called “Barbara” - someone whom he never saw again after passing her in the street on a rainy day. All the themes of the original text are preserved in this re-imagined and compressed version of the story. This interpretation of the story offers a Romanticized view of femininity and celebrates the salvation that a beautiful woman embodies for a disheartened poet and a war-ravaged city. The French poetry by Danaë Vlasse is systematically arranged in 4 or 8 syllable lines, with consistent rhymes. The familiar simplicity of the language by Prévert is respected and the overall mood and structure of the original text is preserved;
This poem recounts a personal experience by the poet Jacques Prévert, a luminary of French literature, who experienced the devastation of his city shattered by war (WWII). This poem recounts the chance encounter of Jacques with a mysterious woman he called “Barbara” - someone whom he never saw again after passing her in the street on a rainy day. All the themes of the original text are preserved in this re-imagined and compressed version of the story. This interpretation of the story offers a Romanticized view of femininity and celebrates the salvation that a beautiful woman embodies for a disheartened poet and a war-ravaged city. The French poetry by Danaë Vlasse is systematically arranged in 4 or 8 syllable lines, with consistent rhymes. The familiar simplicity of the language by Prévert is respected and the overall mood and structure of the original text is preserved;
- The 1st section describes a chance encounter in the street, filled with hope.
- The 2nd section features an emotional outburst of anger at war, and frustration with circumstances which entailed a missed opportunity for love.
- The 3rd section portrays a dilapidated city, as well as the poet’s depression and existential nihilism.
4) Nocturne Pour Nelson
Poetry to accompany the music; "A Lullaby" by Eugene Field (1850 –1895)
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The stars are twinkling in the skies,
The earth is lost in slumbers deep;
So hush, my sweet, and close thine eyes,
And let me lull thy soul to sleep.
Compose thy dimpled hands to rest,
And like a little birdling lie
Secure within thy cozy nest
Upon my loving mother breast,
And slumber to my lullaby,
So hushaby--O hushaby.
The moon is singing to a star
The little song I sing to you;
The father sun has strayed afar,
As baby's sire is straying too.
And so the loving mother moon
Sings to the little star on high;
And as she sings, her gentle tune
Is borne to me, and thus I croon
For thee, my sweet, that lullaby
Of hushaby--O hushaby.
There is a little one asleep
That does not hear his mother's song;
But angel watchers--as I weep--
Surround his grave the night-tide long.
And as I sing, my sweet, to you,
Oh, would the lullaby I sing--
The same sweet lullaby he knew
While slumb'ring on this bosom too--
Were borne to him on angel's wing!
So hushaby--O hushaby.
This poem is in the public domain.
Poetry to accompany the music; "A Lullaby" by Eugene Field (1850 –1895)
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The stars are twinkling in the skies,
The earth is lost in slumbers deep;
So hush, my sweet, and close thine eyes,
And let me lull thy soul to sleep.
Compose thy dimpled hands to rest,
And like a little birdling lie
Secure within thy cozy nest
Upon my loving mother breast,
And slumber to my lullaby,
So hushaby--O hushaby.
The moon is singing to a star
The little song I sing to you;
The father sun has strayed afar,
As baby's sire is straying too.
And so the loving mother moon
Sings to the little star on high;
And as she sings, her gentle tune
Is borne to me, and thus I croon
For thee, my sweet, that lullaby
Of hushaby--O hushaby.
There is a little one asleep
That does not hear his mother's song;
But angel watchers--as I weep--
Surround his grave the night-tide long.
And as I sing, my sweet, to you,
Oh, would the lullaby I sing--
The same sweet lullaby he knew
While slumb'ring on this bosom too--
Were borne to him on angel's wing!
So hushaby--O hushaby.
This poem is in the public domain.
5) Un Lendemain
Original Text & Translation by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse Dans un lendemain, lors d’un grand chagrin, viendra l’aube où tu pars, ne disant rien. Souvenirs d’enfance, font ma contenance… pour ces chères mémoires je serai ta voix! Nous sommes chacun dans l’étreinte de nos choix, mais les mensonges font notre paysage! Joignons nos fronts en une seule prière; que nos mots soient justes, courageux et clairs. L’amour que l’on tient, brûle rouge nos poings; si vient le jour où ils s’ouvrent enfin… Une cloche sonnera, nous appellera; dès ce moment-là nous serons deux voix! |
“A Tomorrow" was inspired by the Arab Spring. This text is about coming to terms with the choices of loved-ones, especially when those choices are dangerous; it acknowledges the silent suffering of those who provide emotional support from the shadows of their homes while watching loved-ones risk their lives to enact political protest in the streets. 5) A Tomorrow English translation by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse In a tomorrow, in a great sorrow, will come a dawn when you leave, saying nothing. Memories of childhood, make my countenance… For those dear memories I will be your voice! We are each in the embrace of our choices, but lies make our landscape! Let us join in a single plea; may our words be just, courageous and clear. The love that we hold, burns red our fists; if comes a day when they open at last... A bell will toll, calling us; from that moment on we will become two voices! |
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6) La Mer
Original Text by Lyssabelle Laraque & Danaë Vlasse La mer a délivré mon cœur Du poids de mes malheurs, Sans angoisse et sans peur, Du poids de mes malheurs! Et mes amours déçues au goût doux et amer, Sont parties au tréfonds des remous de la mer. Emportée par l'élan, J'ai flotté dans le vent. Et emportée… J’ai vu d'exotiques îles et tant de continents! À travers les déluges Dans l'écume...j'ai perçu Des côtes, des rivages et des plages inconnus! Que j'aime cette mer...au cœur de ses mystères! J'ai conquis ses flots sacrés et salutaires! Au gré de son humeur, J'ai traversé la mer, Au cœur de ses mystères! Et j'en suis revenue grisée par son sanctuaire. Univers enivrant, légendaire! Que j'aime cette mer...au cœur de ses mystères! Au cœur de ses mystères… Que j'aime cette mer! La mer, la mer, m'a inspirée, m’a inspirée! J'ai déliré mes rêves dans ses lamentations! J'ai chanté ses chansons ... dansé ses vibrations! Séduite par sa beauté...moi j'en reste éperdue! En révélant sous l'eau... mon âme libre, mon corps nu! Que j'aime cette mer...au cœur de ses mystères! J'ai contemplé la mer.... J'ai compris son appel. J'ai admiré ses flux... au rythme des vagues, des vagues rebelles. Rebelle, la mer! Ses ondes, ses ondes bercent mon cœur, Bercent, bercent, une part de mon cœur, Et y demeurent éternelles, éternelles! Oh, délices enchanteurs! Enchanteurs, enchanteurs dans le vent; m’emportez! M’emportez! |
6) The Sea
Translation by Lyssabelle Laraque & Danaë Vlasse The sea unshackled my heart From the weight of my pain, Without anguish and without fear, From the weight of my pain! And my loves, in despair of a sweet-bitter taste, Are gone deep in the drift through the swirl of the sea. Carried far by the flow, I floated in the wind. Ravished! I saw exotic isles and so many continents! Throughout the storms, In the foam…I perceived Coasts, shores… and unknown beaches! How I love the sea...in all her mystery! I conquered her sacred and soothing waves! By the will of her moods, I crossed the sea, To the heart of her mystery! And I returned intoxicated by her sanctuary. Universe of wonder, legendary! How I love the sea...in all her mystery! In all her mystery…How I love this sea! The sea, the sea, inspired me, inspired me! I raved secret dreams in lamentations! I sang her songs... danced her vibrations! Seduced by her glamour ... I remain dazed! Revealing to the tides.... my emancipated soul and bare body! How I love the sea...in all her mystery! I gazed upon the sea... I understood her call. I admire her flux....the rhythm of the waves, the rebel waves. The rebel sea! Her ripples, her ripples cradle my heart, Cradle, cradle a part of my heart, Where she stays eternal, eternal! Oh delights enchanting! Enchanters, enchanters in the wind; carry me away! Carry me away! |
7) Fantaisie #2 - "Swansong"
A poem to accompany the Fantaisie:
~ The Swan ~
By Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, 2013
Ivory quills; a quiver in a tail destined to pen.
Dust aflutter...
Down afloat...
An ailing grace lies mourning, despairing;
Delirious from the fragrance of a waterlily's fresh palette of nascent pastels.
Fearful of this night's timeless mistress;
A muse sinister yet seductive with repose; calling cadence to life's thrashing.
Sails heave, whimpering under the weight of their effort;
Resigned toward inevitably succumbing to dusk's siren.
Drops of loneliness glisten along the arc of a sinuous spine, until...
Echoes of breath convey feathered spirits into the beams of a sharply setting sphere.
Watch the official music video for this piece!
A poem to accompany the Fantaisie:
~ The Swan ~
By Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, 2013
Ivory quills; a quiver in a tail destined to pen.
Dust aflutter...
Down afloat...
An ailing grace lies mourning, despairing;
Delirious from the fragrance of a waterlily's fresh palette of nascent pastels.
Fearful of this night's timeless mistress;
A muse sinister yet seductive with repose; calling cadence to life's thrashing.
Sails heave, whimpering under the weight of their effort;
Resigned toward inevitably succumbing to dusk's siren.
Drops of loneliness glisten along the arc of a sinuous spine, until...
Echoes of breath convey feathered spirits into the beams of a sharply setting sphere.
Watch the official music video for this piece!
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8) Rêverie "La Lune"
Original Text by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse Une pâle lumière qu’elle pose sur terre; elle m’envahit. La lune m’enveloppe doucement en rêverie. Ombres de loups, sur sa face jouent! Ses yeux lancent un clin d’œil vers le nid du hibou. Souffles de vent, passant devant; des nuages comme des mariées vêtues de voiles blancs; Dansant là-bas, l’infini toit; un plafond s’étend en dentelle sur les étoiles! La lune surveille ceux qui s’éveillent, conscient de la pluie qui unit tout: mer et ciel. Nuages d’hiver. Navires de verre. Sur l’estuaire des tourbillons et des éclairs! Mythologies cerclant sa vie; faisant toujours face au monde en ode et magie! La lune m’enveloppe doucement, si doucement, doucement en rêverie. |
8) Rêverie "The Moon"
English Translation by Danaë Xanthe Vlasse: A pale color she lays on earth; she invades me! The moon envelops me gently in a dream. Shadows of wolves, on her face play! Her eyes throw a wink to the owls’ nest. Breaths of wind, passing in foreground; clouds like brides in white veils; Dancing over there, the infinite roof; a ceiling stretched like lace over the stars! The moon watches over those who awaken, conscious of the rain that unites all: oceans and heavens. Clouds of winter. Ships of glass. On the estuary spin whirlwinds and lightening! Mythologies encircle her life; always facing the world in ode and magic! The moon envelops me gently, so gently, gently in a dream. |
Watch the official music video for this piece!
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9) Sérénade De Verlaine Text by Paul Verlaine, "Poèmes saturniens" (1866) Ouvre ton âme et ton oreille au son De ma mandoline: Pour toi j'ai fait, pour toi, cette chanson Cruelle et câline. Je chanterai tes yeux d'or et d'onyx Purs de toutes ombres, Puis le Léthé de ton sein, puis le Styx De tes cheveux sombres. Comme la voix d'un mort qui chanterait Du fond de sa fosse, Maîtresse, entends monter vers ton retrait Ma voix aigre et fausse. Puis je louerai beaucoup, comme il convient, Cette chair bénie Dont le parfum opulent me revient Les nuits d'insomnie. Pour toi j'ai fait, pour toi, cette chanson Cruelle et câline. |
9) Serenade (by Verlaine) English Translation by Evie Brill Paffard Open your soul and hear the knell Of my mandolin strings: This song I wrote, for you, which tells Of cruel and childish things. I will sing of your eyes, onyx and gold, Purged of every shadow, Then the Lethe of your breast, the cold Styx of your hair’s dark flow. As the voice of a dead man might sing From the depths of his tomb, For you, Mistress, my tuneless voice rings False in my heart’s catacomb. Then I will praise, above all Flesh that heaven did bless Whose opulent perfumes recall Nights long and sleepless. This song I wrote, for you, which tells Of cruel and childish things. |