Thank you so much for your warm presence at the concert and your kind words!
I find the use of the imperative very interesting, especially when they go as far as say "without asking my leave". It gives it an almost haunting and possessed quality. I'm very curious how the composer translated this into music, I will listen to it tonight!
On a side note: I'm more and more impressed by your managing your writing, singing, working and still find the time to share such interesting works and thoughts here!
Thank you for the beautiful concert! I loved the attention to the texts and your nuanced, poised interpretation. And Katia's playing was stunning.
Yes, I agree about that possessed and haunting quality. When I sing it I feel a bit, well, scary! It's a really interesting emotional space.
Thanks for that kind word - I'm just trying to prioritize what matters most to me! I live for these conversations, so thanks for your willingness to exchange thoughts!
The choice to use the image of feet-to-chest is an interesting one to me, a desire to keep the beloved's groundedness/rhythm in the heart. A foot-to-heart a surprise! There's something of demand in the lines -- "do not go my love/without asking my leave," which in a romantic loss or losing a loved one to illness, is not the best thing to say. Why insist the other hang on? For what beyond your own selfish need? These lyrics make me bristle a little, rather than fill me with any swirl of longing, and that has me thinking about perspective, and leaves me with lots of questions, which is what art does.
It's so funny you mentioned the feet/chest connection, because when I was preparing the song I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to interpret that line. This article (https://www.csmusic.net/content/articles/a-songs-centenary/) suggests that touching the feet is a sign of respect in Hindu culture. There's more information about Tagore's poetry collection there under "The Song and its Meaning." But I love your interpretation, too! I also read it as the speaker wanting the lover to not be able to walk/run away.
I love your comment on the selfishness of insisting someone hang on. I think I read it - the song version, anyway - as a soliloquy, particularly from the "I ask myself" line which interestingly is also where the piano changes a lot.
Thank you so much for your warm presence at the concert and your kind words!
I find the use of the imperative very interesting, especially when they go as far as say "without asking my leave". It gives it an almost haunting and possessed quality. I'm very curious how the composer translated this into music, I will listen to it tonight!
On a side note: I'm more and more impressed by your managing your writing, singing, working and still find the time to share such interesting works and thoughts here!
Thank you for the beautiful concert! I loved the attention to the texts and your nuanced, poised interpretation. And Katia's playing was stunning.
Yes, I agree about that possessed and haunting quality. When I sing it I feel a bit, well, scary! It's a really interesting emotional space.
Thanks for that kind word - I'm just trying to prioritize what matters most to me! I live for these conversations, so thanks for your willingness to exchange thoughts!
The choice to use the image of feet-to-chest is an interesting one to me, a desire to keep the beloved's groundedness/rhythm in the heart. A foot-to-heart a surprise! There's something of demand in the lines -- "do not go my love/without asking my leave," which in a romantic loss or losing a loved one to illness, is not the best thing to say. Why insist the other hang on? For what beyond your own selfish need? These lyrics make me bristle a little, rather than fill me with any swirl of longing, and that has me thinking about perspective, and leaves me with lots of questions, which is what art does.
It's so funny you mentioned the feet/chest connection, because when I was preparing the song I had a lot of trouble figuring out how to interpret that line. This article (https://www.csmusic.net/content/articles/a-songs-centenary/) suggests that touching the feet is a sign of respect in Hindu culture. There's more information about Tagore's poetry collection there under "The Song and its Meaning." But I love your interpretation, too! I also read it as the speaker wanting the lover to not be able to walk/run away.
I love your comment on the selfishness of insisting someone hang on. I think I read it - the song version, anyway - as a soliloquy, particularly from the "I ask myself" line which interestingly is also where the piano changes a lot.
And yes, vivent les questions !!
Hi Rachel, thanks for the post. I’m not sure if he’s losing a loved one to sickness or for another reason. Either way it’s beautiful. Thanks.
Thanks for your comment! I'm so glad you liked the piece. I definitely think you can read it any way that speaks to you.