Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Richard Blackford
Reconciliation (2003)
- Novello & Co Ltd (World)
Commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus
- str
- SATB
- 5 min
- Goethe
- English, German
Programme Note
In 2000, the poet Tony Harrison, to cheer me up during a troubled period of my life, sent me a copy of Goethe’s poem. I began to sketch music for it then, and finished it in 2003. It is set for mixed chorus and strings. A winding, forlorn cello figure, like a lost soul, leads to a softer, tender violin theme that evokes the healing power of music to the troubled spirit. The hushed chorus enters a cappella, and the forlorn cello figure is developed as they describe the illusory nature of the “splendid” world. The “healing” theme returns, now elaborated by the sopranos, and the whole chorus joins them, building a sustained message of hope and thanks for the regenerative power of music and love.
This short piece is fondly dedicated to my friends Jane and David Fanshawe. It was commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and first performed by them in Poole on 17 April 2004.
Richard Blackford
Aussöhnung Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden! – Wer beschwichtigt,
Beklommes Herz, dich, das zu viel verloren?
Wo sind die Stunden, überschnell verflüchtigt?
Vergebens was das Schönste dir erkoren!
Trüb ist der Geist, verworren das Beginnen;
Die hehre Welt, wid schwindet sie den Sinnen!
Reconciliation translated by Alexandra Jones
Our passion brought us suff’ring: now, poor heart,
My troubled heart, whence comfort for your pain?
Sweet fleeting hours all too soon depart.
Oh, to have known such beauty, but in vain!
My soul is numb, my reason is confusion;
This splendid world now seems a mere illusion.
Da schwebt hervor Musik mit Engelsschwingen,
Verflicht zu Millionen Tön um Töne,
Des Menschen Wesen durch und durch zu dringen
Zu überfüllen ihn mit ewger Schöne:
Das Auge netzt sich, fühlt im höhern Sehnen
Den Götter-Wert der Töne wie der Tränen.
But still! A heavenly music now emerges,
And weaves a web of melody so tender
To fill the human soul with mighty surges,
And overwhelm us with a timeless splendour:
Our tears well up, as we in longing languish,
For music is divine, as is love’s anguish.
Und so das Herz erleichtert merkt behende
Dass es noch lebt und schlägt und möchte schlagen,
Zum reinsten Dank der überreichen Spende
Sich selbst erwidernd willig darzutragen.
Da fühlte sich – o dass es ewig bliebe!
Das Doppel-Glück der Töne wie der Liebe.
And so our lightened heart, its pulses pressing
Thus wills us still to love, with will for living,
In purest thanks for so profound a blessing
Our heart itself in willing offer giving.
And then we sense – o may it never fade! –
In love too, as in music, our joy is made.
This short piece is fondly dedicated to my friends Jane and David Fanshawe. It was commissioned by the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and first performed by them in Poole on 17 April 2004.
Richard Blackford
Aussöhnung Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden! – Wer beschwichtigt,
Beklommes Herz, dich, das zu viel verloren?
Wo sind die Stunden, überschnell verflüchtigt?
Vergebens was das Schönste dir erkoren!
Trüb ist der Geist, verworren das Beginnen;
Die hehre Welt, wid schwindet sie den Sinnen!
Reconciliation translated by Alexandra Jones
Our passion brought us suff’ring: now, poor heart,
My troubled heart, whence comfort for your pain?
Sweet fleeting hours all too soon depart.
Oh, to have known such beauty, but in vain!
My soul is numb, my reason is confusion;
This splendid world now seems a mere illusion.
Da schwebt hervor Musik mit Engelsschwingen,
Verflicht zu Millionen Tön um Töne,
Des Menschen Wesen durch und durch zu dringen
Zu überfüllen ihn mit ewger Schöne:
Das Auge netzt sich, fühlt im höhern Sehnen
Den Götter-Wert der Töne wie der Tränen.
But still! A heavenly music now emerges,
And weaves a web of melody so tender
To fill the human soul with mighty surges,
And overwhelm us with a timeless splendour:
Our tears well up, as we in longing languish,
For music is divine, as is love’s anguish.
Und so das Herz erleichtert merkt behende
Dass es noch lebt und schlägt und möchte schlagen,
Zum reinsten Dank der überreichen Spende
Sich selbst erwidernd willig darzutragen.
Da fühlte sich – o dass es ewig bliebe!
Das Doppel-Glück der Töne wie der Liebe.
And so our lightened heart, its pulses pressing
Thus wills us still to love, with will for living,
In purest thanks for so profound a blessing
Our heart itself in willing offer giving.
And then we sense – o may it never fade! –
In love too, as in music, our joy is made.
Scores
Preview the score