I have long been fascinated by the wonderful poems of the great Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda (1904-1973). I am drawn to the manner in which there tumbles from Neruda’s words a supreme emotion, at times brimming with delight, at others, replete and intense with passion or tragedy. His language is consistently filled with emotive imagery redolent of nature’s ways and man’s expectations and limitations. How Neruda speaks of love and desire is unparalleled.
In presenting a new piece to you this month, I contemplated Neruda’s beautiful Poema 14, “Every Day You Play…” (from 20 Poemas de Amor y una Canción Desesperada), in which descriptions of love and the storm are seen to meld to explore the light and darkness in both the poet and his lover, each given life by their encounter through the fusion of feelings that transmute the storm. The poet reveals his sentiments from remoteness and shadow, the rain and winds of the storm taking their place among the earliest signs of the spring. I have set out the poem below and there is also a link to listen to the poem being read.
My new piece this month is called “Four encounters for solo piano” . The work has 4 movements: I. Affinity II. Circles III. Tenderness IV. Decision . Each movement explores a new stage of possible encounter as an alliance progresses. The opening movement sees the right and left hand parts paralleling, discovering, rarely moving separately or in counterpoint. In the second movement, the lines parry and play closely in rhythm and colour. The third movement at first reveals a gentle and intimate emotion before tremolo-like figures push the music to a distinct climax. The final movement extends resolutely. Here is a video link to my piece which I hope you will enjoy (the pdf scores and mp3s can be downloaded from my main music page).
Thank you for your continued support and the very kind comments which I received about my piece for last month (“by an evening window”). It has been such a great pleasure to read your kind appreciation, which as ever has been deeply inspiring.
With best wishes
Anna Ferro - March 2014
Every day you play with the light of the universe.Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water,
You are more than this white head that I hold tightly
as a bunch of flowers, every day, between my hands.
You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.
Suddenly the wind howls and bangs at my shut window.
The sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish.
Here all the winds let go sooner or later, all of them.
The rain takes off her clothes.
The birds go by, fleeing.
The wind. The wind.
I only can contend against the power of men.
The storm whirls dark leaves
and turns loose all the boats that were moored last night to the sky.
You are here. Oh, you do not run away.
You will answer me to the last cry.
Cling to me as though you were frightened.
Even so, a strange shadow once ran through your eyes.
Now, now too, little one, you bring me honeysuckle,
and even your breasts smell of it.
While the sad wind goes slaughtering butterflies
I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth.
How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me,
my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running.
So many times we have seen the morning star burn, kissing our eyes,
and over our heads the grey light unwinds in turning fans.
My words rained over you, caressing you.
A long time I have loved the sun-kissed mother-of-pearl of your body.
Until I even believe that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells, dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want to do with you
what spring does with the cherry trees.