(This is an art song written for Søren Kierkegaard and Regine Olsen using his journals and writings as inspiration. Kierkegaard never married and left everything to Regine who remained a major inspiration in his works.)
From Kierkegaard’s Works of Love: ‘But every tree is known by its own fruit. So also is love known by its own fruit and the love of which Christianity speaks is known by its own fruit—revealing that it has within itself the truth of the eternal. All other love, whether humanly speaking it withers early and is altered or lovingly preserves itself for a round of time—such love is still transient; it merely blossoms. This is precisely its weakness and tragedy, whether it blossoms for an hour or for seventy years—it merely blossoms; but Christian love is eternal. Therefore no one, if he understands himself, would think of saying of Christian love that it blossoms; no poet, if he understands himself, would think of celebrating it in song.’
Inner Reconciliation (click here to listen)
(When my microphone comes back from repairs I’ll sing it for you, for now the flute substitutes.)
Inner Reconciliation
In the garden he does pledge
she accepts his proposal
sovereign queen of his heart
unknown divinity, mythic echoes
cast Søren and Regine
Their love, its abiding prophecies
full of life’s eccentric premises,
mere shadows lost in the light
In his melancholy he falters
placing his last hope
she pleads, he wounds
Their love, its abiding prophecies
full of life’s eccentric premises,
mere shadows lost in the light
Deceives to give her soul resilience
his sin a lack of faith
ever devoted
(instrumental interlude)
Their love, its abiding prophecies
full of life’s eccentric premises,
mere shadows lost in the light
Linked to New World Creative Union’s prompt to use Arthur William Edward O’Shaughnessy, “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.” http://newworldcreativeunion.blogspot.com/2012/05/wednesday-wake-up-call-for-05092011.html?spref=fb
Anna! Oh my…this was just fantastic! I’ve played the piece for the office and we have all melted…can not wait until that mic is fixed.
Oh Tash, how encouraging, the first person I played it for called it depressing :). I could only reply, yes, well, they were never together and she was so upset initially she threatened suicide so I thought melancholy was a good tone for the song. Oh the joys of creating.
Honestly…the sound of the flute almost always makes me think of longing…solitude…like the call of the lone loon on the lake at sunrise..(yes..cheeseball…can’t help it…and yes…I’m back to listen again! lol)
I think because I’ve played the flute for 30 years I have a broader association but I do turn to it often when writing these forlorn melodies. I don’t think it’s cheeseball but one of those images that sticks with us because of its beauty and rightness. Thanks so much for returning :).
oo this is delicious…i love the refreain in this…and would love to hear you sing….the flute goes well with it…it does carry the tone of the verse and circumstances…
Delicious :), thanks, so helpful to hear the tone worked for you. Got the call the mic is fixed and on its way back to me.
Oh, this is gorgeous!
Thank you Mama Zen, so wonderful to see you :).
The flute is exquisite, Anna! There’s nothing like a flute on a quiet evening with the breeze lapping the cheeks and a wisp of hair a little ruffled. And the sweet flow of the flute lingers on. My, this is great, Ma’am!
Hank
Thank you Hank, so glad you enjoyed it. I composed it for this prompt then turned the poem into lyrics.
Super cool Anna. Beautifully touching lyrics, the flue really adds a certain atmosphere only it can provide, it is a unique instrument and a nice touch here, but can’t wait for your microphone to get fixed, I for one, certainly look forward to hear you perform this. Thanks
I’d better start practicing as I’ve written a difficult part (good that I like challenges) and English is not the best language for singing imho. Fred, your continued encouragement and kindness is very much appreciated.
It’s beautiful to just read the words and listen to the music. Can’t wait to hear you sing it. 🙂
Thank you :), I wanted to get it up before the link closed. I’ll likely repost next week when I can get the recording completed.
There is no end to your talent. The flute is so beautiful. I would love to hear you sing it too. Such a sad love story. A love that never was. Fabulous on many levels again Anna.
I appreciate your feedback as I’ve only written one other art song but I’m trying to expand and experiment in my composing right now. Lyrics are really outside my comfort zone :). I’ve wanted to write their story for a while now but didn’t find the right outlet until this prompt came along. I had to cut an enormous amount of material but that isn’t always a bad thing.
beautiful in every aspect… the music is so lovely and haunting. and i love the back story, all of those emotions came through perfectly in your art.
Thanks Kelly, I don’t always agree with his philosophy/theology, which was so clearly shaped by his personal experience, but I admire and respect it.