David W Solomons' Music Site
Home My Works Publishers News CDs Videos Personal Others YouTube Search Email Links
David W Solomons’
 Music Site
Sagesse and Après Paul

Sagesse

for alto and guitar


Download mp3 of Sagesse


Story behind the piece:

Verlaine is in his prison cell looking out through the high window and listening to the bells and birdsong outside. He asks himself: "what have you done with your lost young years?"


Verlaine's poem, and singing translation by the composer.


Le ciel est par dessus le toit si bleu si calme

un arbre par dessus le toit berce sa palme

la cloche dans le ciel qu'on voit

doucement tinte

un oiseau sur l'arbre qu'on voit

chante sa plainte.

Mon Dieu mon Dieu, la vie est là, simple et tranquille.

Cette paisible rumeur là vient de la ville.

Qu'as-tu fait, oh toi que voilà

pleurant sans cesse,

dis, qu'as-tu fait de ta jeunesse?   

The sky above the eaves is blue, is blue and calm

a tree in spreading leaves sways its arms

the churchbell in the sky

softly rings

a bird perched in the tree

bitter sweet sings.

My God, true life is there

simple serene!

Far away gentle bustle of the town scene.

Oh what have you done, consumed by tears,

say what have you done

with your young years?

Sample page of Sagesse (pdf)


There is also a version for flute and guitar:

Scores of both versions are available from Musik Fabrik:

Version for voice and guitar


Version for flute and guitar

Sagesse was also the inspiration for a recorder quartet, using the same melody, called Après Paul  

also published by Musik Fabrik (score available here)



Après Paul has been performed by the recorder quartet X-tet;  you can hear them play it here (mp3).


Sample page of Après Paul (pdf)

**************************************
Video of Sagesse