Performing Arts
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Fantasie Impromptu - Chopin
Performed by Anonymous |
Artist's Statement:
With a 3/4 tempo in one hand and 4/4 tempo in another, as well as a slower interlude in the middle of the piece, Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu is a notorious study in duality.
I’ve always found it funny, how I can find calm within the chaos of this piece. I’ve always returned - perhaps retreated would be a better word - to Fantasie Impromptu as I struggled with body image and self-destructive habits: the interplay between its rapidity and lyrical slowness always resonated deeply with my own internal struggles. Sometimes I lash at the keys in anger; other times I find myself serenading them (and myself) as I coax a melody from the mellower interlude.
For me, the Impromptu is a tribute to the conflicting narratives I tell myself, a testimony to the duality between the confusion of self-destruction and the gentleness of self-love.
With a 3/4 tempo in one hand and 4/4 tempo in another, as well as a slower interlude in the middle of the piece, Chopin’s Fantasie Impromptu is a notorious study in duality.
I’ve always found it funny, how I can find calm within the chaos of this piece. I’ve always returned - perhaps retreated would be a better word - to Fantasie Impromptu as I struggled with body image and self-destructive habits: the interplay between its rapidity and lyrical slowness always resonated deeply with my own internal struggles. Sometimes I lash at the keys in anger; other times I find myself serenading them (and myself) as I coax a melody from the mellower interlude.
For me, the Impromptu is a tribute to the conflicting narratives I tell myself, a testimony to the duality between the confusion of self-destruction and the gentleness of self-love.
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Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
Performed by Jean Clara Cartwright Jean Clara Cartwright is currently a first study singer at the University of Nottingham with a highlighted focus and love for coloratura soprano arias. After previously winning a number of state piano competitions in the Philippines and completing her DipABRSM exam, she decided to solely focus on singing and in developing her voice to a higher standard. She is a soprano choral scholar at St Mary’s Church in Nottingham, which has presented her with numerous opportunities for solo work and CD recordings. |
Artist's Statement:
Lucio D. San Pedro was a Filipino composer and teacher, who was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Music by President Aquino in 1991. Shortly followed by the lyricist of this very composition, Levi Celerio in 1997.
Within the year of 1943 wherein the Philippines was under Japanese occupation, the piece was supposed to be entered into a competition. Yet, due to its initial form of just a sole melody without words, San Pedro was unable to submit the work. A few years later in 1947, he would then meet Levi Celerio, the future lyricist of his composition.
The inspiration for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan was drawn from a melody from San Pedro’s childhood. A song hummed by his mother whenever he and his siblings were being put to sleep. There is also music used originating from a previously composed work, the fourth piece from his own Suite pastorale.
Written in the first-person point of view, the singer wishes that the past memories and his childhood will never fade - wanting to hear the song of his mother one last time. Continuing into the second verse, the singer describes the stars watching and guarding him as he falls into a deep peaceful sleep. Still longing for his mother’s lullaby as life becomes like heaven whenever she sings. For the final stanza he reveals that he is suffering from hardship and that is the reason for the longing for his mother.
Despite this song being about the relationship between mother and child, the nature of the song is nationalistic in nature. There is no official translation for this piece, however as I speak Tagalog (Filipino; the main language of the Philippines) I did my best to translate the text to an English version through my understanding of the piece.
Tagalog is my mother’s native tongue and the main language I use to communicate with her. There is an important connection that is made between between parent and child when bilingualism plays a role in your upbringing. To speak a parent’s native language is a sign of respect to them in many ways, perhaps they feel more at ease in speaking their native language in which they’re more comfortable with rather than a language they are not so confident in conversing, like English for example. Another reason that it could be respectful to a parent is through a cultural factor. To speak the language that is a part of you and your family, and despite living in a different country a sense of culture is never really lost.
As my mother had only previously heard me sing pieces that were written European languages, I had surprised her when I sang this song at my recital which was truly a wonderful moment. For it to be such an honour to tell story in Tagalog through a musical journey and truly connect your respect for a parent by thanking them in their own language through song.
Lyrics:
Sana'y di magmaliw ang dati kong araw (Those good old days, I pray won’t fade)
Nang munti pang bata sa piling ni Nanay (When I was a young child in my mother’s arms)
Nais kong maulit ang awit ni Inang mahal (Oh, to hear my Mother’s lullaby again)
Awit ng pag-ibig habang ako'y nasa duyan (A song of love while she rocked my cradle.)
Sa aking pagtulog na labis ang himbing (In my deep and peaceful slumber)
Ang bantay ko'y tala, ang tanod ko'y bituin (The stars watch over me in vigil)
Sa piling ni nanay, langit ay buhay (Life was like heaven in my Mother’s arms)
Puso kong may dusa sabik sa ugoy ng duyan (My suffering heart now longs for the rock of the cradle.)
Lucio D. San Pedro was a Filipino composer and teacher, who was proclaimed a National Artist of the Philippines for Music by President Aquino in 1991. Shortly followed by the lyricist of this very composition, Levi Celerio in 1997.
Within the year of 1943 wherein the Philippines was under Japanese occupation, the piece was supposed to be entered into a competition. Yet, due to its initial form of just a sole melody without words, San Pedro was unable to submit the work. A few years later in 1947, he would then meet Levi Celerio, the future lyricist of his composition.
The inspiration for Sa Ugoy ng Duyan was drawn from a melody from San Pedro’s childhood. A song hummed by his mother whenever he and his siblings were being put to sleep. There is also music used originating from a previously composed work, the fourth piece from his own Suite pastorale.
Written in the first-person point of view, the singer wishes that the past memories and his childhood will never fade - wanting to hear the song of his mother one last time. Continuing into the second verse, the singer describes the stars watching and guarding him as he falls into a deep peaceful sleep. Still longing for his mother’s lullaby as life becomes like heaven whenever she sings. For the final stanza he reveals that he is suffering from hardship and that is the reason for the longing for his mother.
Despite this song being about the relationship between mother and child, the nature of the song is nationalistic in nature. There is no official translation for this piece, however as I speak Tagalog (Filipino; the main language of the Philippines) I did my best to translate the text to an English version through my understanding of the piece.
Tagalog is my mother’s native tongue and the main language I use to communicate with her. There is an important connection that is made between between parent and child when bilingualism plays a role in your upbringing. To speak a parent’s native language is a sign of respect to them in many ways, perhaps they feel more at ease in speaking their native language in which they’re more comfortable with rather than a language they are not so confident in conversing, like English for example. Another reason that it could be respectful to a parent is through a cultural factor. To speak the language that is a part of you and your family, and despite living in a different country a sense of culture is never really lost.
As my mother had only previously heard me sing pieces that were written European languages, I had surprised her when I sang this song at my recital which was truly a wonderful moment. For it to be such an honour to tell story in Tagalog through a musical journey and truly connect your respect for a parent by thanking them in their own language through song.
Lyrics:
Sana'y di magmaliw ang dati kong araw (Those good old days, I pray won’t fade)
Nang munti pang bata sa piling ni Nanay (When I was a young child in my mother’s arms)
Nais kong maulit ang awit ni Inang mahal (Oh, to hear my Mother’s lullaby again)
Awit ng pag-ibig habang ako'y nasa duyan (A song of love while she rocked my cradle.)
Sa aking pagtulog na labis ang himbing (In my deep and peaceful slumber)
Ang bantay ko'y tala, ang tanod ko'y bituin (The stars watch over me in vigil)
Sa piling ni nanay, langit ay buhay (Life was like heaven in my Mother’s arms)
Puso kong may dusa sabik sa ugoy ng duyan (My suffering heart now longs for the rock of the cradle.)