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. |
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.
Wikipedia entry for Canteloube...
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posted by Jim Lesses at
2:04 PM
4 Comments:
Jim,
I absolutely resound your thoughts on this ethereal music. I heard "Flicka" Von Stade sing this piece at the Sun Valley Summer Concert series a few years ago and still feel completely overcome when I listen to it. Thanks for your thoughts.
Tania in Idaho
The song is about a shepherdess singing across a valley to her love.
Shepherd across the river,
You're hardly having a good time,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
Shepherd, the meadows are in bloom.
You should graze your flock on this side,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
Shepherd, the water divides us,
And I can't cross it,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
Shepherd across the river,
You're hardly having a good time,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
No, I'm not,
And you, too, can sing baïlèro
Shepherd, the meadows are in bloom.
You should graze your flock on this side,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
The grass is greener in the meadows on this side,
Baïlèro lèrô
Shepherd, the water divides us,
And I can't cross it,
Sing baïlèro lèrô
Then I'll come down and find you,
Baïlèro lèrô
The Bailero lero is untranslatable in the ancient language of Auvergne
Tania
Thanks Tania for your comments. Truly a timeless piece of music if ever there was, and one that will still be enjoyed another hundred years from now.
I've been obsessed with this piece lately, and my favorite version is sung by Netania Davrath. I've posted it to youtube, here.
It's like the audio equivalent of the best tiramisu in the world.
It's as if heaven can be emitted from stereo speakers.
It's beautiful.
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