Songs That Stop Me In My Tracks: Bailero

I was listening to ABC-FM during the week, and heard Margaret Throsby play a selection of Joseph Canteloube's Songs of The Auvergne. If ever there was a man who must have been touched by God, it was Canteloube, especially while composing the Songs of The Auvergne. If you have any doubts about that -- then take a listen to the most famous of all the songs in the collection, Bailero.

This song moves me to tears -- literally. When I play it on my computer, as I am doing now while I write this, I put the song on repeat, and let it wash over me time and again, until finally I have to turn it off, because I am afraid that if I don't, I will cease to love this song as much as I do, or because I'm scared that I will become bored with it, and quite frankly, that would be unforgivable.

The version you can listen to here is sung by Frederica Von Stade. I don't know if this is regarded as the definative interpretation of the song, but it sounds fine to me.

I have also heard Dame Kiri Te Kanawa sing the song and remember it as being absolutely stunning. The interesting thing is, I have no idea what the song is about, and quite frankly I'm not all that bothered about finding out. It is enough to enjoy the glorious melody, and the sublime beauty of the singing. Click the link on the left to buy a double CD collection of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa singing the complete Songs of The Auvergne song cycle.

Hearing the song on radio again, reminded me that it's about time I bought a recording with the full collection of songs, so that I can appreciate them in their entirety, the way they were meant to be enjoyed.

ABC Classic FM...

Wikipedia entry for Canteloube...

Quote of The Day...

Music is a discipline, and a mistress of order and good manners, she makes the people milder and gentler, more moral and more reasonable. ~ Martin Luther (1483-1546)

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