Un grand sommeil noir (1906). Edgard Varèse /poor man's doctor atomic/

iTunes just created a poor man's French version of Doctor Atomic: the crashing, ominous metal of Engulfed in Subduction by P.H.O.B.O.S (a French group) followed by the somber vocal of Varèse's Un grand sommeil noir. Text by Verlaine and set by numerous composers:

Je ne vois plus rien,
Je perds la mémoire
Du mal et du bien...
O la triste histoire!

I'm starting to understand the significance of losing the early music of Varèse.

Here's a small analysis of his setting:

The final measures of Varèse's mélodie are an exorcism of Debussy from his own style, accomplished by harking back to the end of Act IV of Pelléas et Mélisande.

I also amaze myself by liking such dark, even hostile music and yet, my current favorite Copland is Muted and Sensuous from Four Piano Blues.

 

Comments

[Poesie]

J'aime Varèse! J'aime beaucoup!