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LA MUSIQUE
Song for Baritone Voice and Piano

LEVEL: MEDIUM ADVANCED
Music by Christopher M. Lee (2010)
Text by Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), alt.; tr. F.P. Sturm (1879-1942)
Themes/imagery in text: music, the sea
Duration: ca. 4 minutes

Text:
Music doth uplift me like a sea,
towards my planet pale,
then through dark fogs or heaven's infinity
I lift my wandering sail.

With breast advanced, drinking the winds that flee,
and through the cordage wail,
I mount the hurrying waves night hides from me
beneath her sombre veil.

I feel the tremblings of all passions known 
to ships before the breeze;
cradled by gentle winds, or tempest-blown

I pass the abyss of seas
that are when calm the mirror level and fair 
of my despair!

(first stanza reprised)

                                   - Charles Baudelaire, alt.; tr. F.P. Sturm

Notes:
Composed for the composer's father, Dr. Ronald T. Lee, celebrating a career of faithful service and leadership in the music community, presented on the occasion of his retirement, May 15, 2010.
Hear music*:
Click to see score excerpt:
* Performed by Rene de la Garza, baritone, and Chris Lee, piano.

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