Luke Streleckis: ReAwaken Program Notes George Frederic Handel is one of the most influential British composers and a significant contributor to the tradition of English oratorios, notably through his most well-known work, Messiah. The selection Total Eclipse comes from his oratorio Samson, based upon the biblical story which Samson’s tremendous strength is lost after his hair is cut by Delilah. Newburg Hamilton (1692-1751), an Irish librettist, wrote three of Handel’s works with Samson being one of them. His text explores Samson’s torment and deep lamentation of the loss of his sight as he has been chained up and blinded. The piece begins with a recitative where Samson declares his discontent with his new affliction, followed by an aria where he describes his inability to see or feel the joy of the sun, moon, and stars. Reynaldo Hahn is a French composer who is known for his contributions to melodie, which is the French art song from the 19th century. Its style can be compared to the German Lied. In L’heure exquise he sets the poetry of Paul Verlaine, an influential symbolist writer, in which the goal is to represent absolute truths through metaphorical text and imagery. L’heure exquise, originally set for soprano voice, was composed as part of Hahn’s 7 Chansons grises between 1887-1890 and describes the moment in which the moon becomes full and mesmerizing. Explored through the lens of two lovers, the vocal line is as delicate and as sweet as the exquisite hour itself and is encouraged through the soft, lyrical writing of the piano. L’heure exquise (1870)
Exquisite hour
La lune blanche Luit dans les bois; De chaque branche Part une voix Sous la ramée...
The white moon Gleams in the woods; From every branch There comes a voice Beneath the boughs...
Ô bien aimée.
O my beloved.
L'étang reflète, Profond miroir, La silhouette Du saule noir Où le vent pleure...
The pool reflects, Deep mirror, The silhouette Of the black willow Where the wind is weeping...
Rêvons, c'est l'heure.
Let us dream, it is the hour.
Un vaste et tendre Apaisement Semble descendre Du firmament Que l'astre irise...
A vast and tender Consolation Seems to fall From the sky The moon illumines...
C'est l'heure exquise.
Exquisite hour.
Text by: Paul Verlaine
Translation © Richard Stokes, from A French Song Companion (Oxford, 2000)