01 Le chevalier de Chattevoix - Sir Purrsifal - (alto voice and guitar)My setting of a poem by fellow cat-lover Paul Maertens.The cat goes hunting in the fog but he is distracted by a beautiful female cat and his prey escapes.The words are as follows (English version shown below)Comme il avait coutume, le chevalier de Chattevois chassait dans le brouillard épais les craquements inquiets que débusquait le vent. Hors soudain la caresse bondissante d'un ruisseau cristalin lui barra le chemin Sur une haute branche un rossignol chantait et dans l'arbre il s'apprêtait à grimper. quand le vent parfumé dérouta son embûche Dans sa robe blanche la belle promenait plus belle que le jour Ses grands yeux félins semblaient s'abreuver et dans l'eau troublante se noyaient aveuglésElle semblait flotter quand l'eau vibrante disloqua ses contours. Notre héros trébucha Vers le brouillard épais le rossignol vola Sans laisser gente plume le rossignol vola De Chattevoix chatte a vu et distrait a trahi son embûche! (My translation)As was his custom every daySir Purrsifal would go hunting in the thick foginvestigating worried creaking sounds flushed out by the wind.Suddenly the leaping kisses of a crystal riverbarred his way.On a high branch a nightingale sangand our knight prepared to climbbut his hunt was thrown by a sweet smell.In her coat of white she passed bylovelier than the dayHer large feline eyes seemed to drinkof the ruffled waters and drowned him in utter blindnessShe seemed to float as the moving waters changed her very shape.Our hero stumbledThe nightingale flew into the fogand left not a plume behind.Sir Purrsifal, distracted by his love, could surely hunt no more!02 Arthropoduet - The centipede and the Frog - (2 altos)Duet on the anonymous poem about a centipede - she was quite happy with her hundred legs until a frog asked her to think about which leg comes after which... The sound sample is sung by the composer (in B flat). The zip file contains a version in B flat and also one in D for higher voices. It can be sung by two solo voices or by a choir of any kindA centipede was happy quite,until a frog in fun said:"Pray tell which leg comes after which?"This raised her mind to such a pitch,She lay distracted in a ditch,Considering how to run.She stopped and thoughtand mystifiedand lifted one leg slowlyput right foot firstand found it lefther left leg was wrong right sideShe lay distracted in a ditch,Considering how to run.She stopped and thoughtand mystifiedand lifted one leg slowlyput right foot firstand found it lefther left leg was wrong side right sideShe lay distracted in a ditch,Considering how to run.03 A latter day Ronsard (alto voice and guitar)Setting of a poem by S N Solomons inspired by the poem Fillette, Fillette ("Si tu t'imagines") by Raymond Queneau (very different setting from the Joseph Kosma version of the original as sung by Juliette Greco!). In the same way that Queneau reflected the"gather ye rosebuds" ideas of Ronsard, the poem and the music here are a sort of 20th century re-imagining of the sentiment with which Ronsard would have been familiar... in a neo-Renaissance style. A latter Day RonsardIf you but think,Think on and onMy little one.If you but thinkIt will go on ...Going for ever,This time of loveThis time for lovers,You’re for a fall,My little girl,You’re for a fallIf you maintainYou will retainFine blushing skinAnd waist cinched inDelicate armsFine varnished nailsTender of thighAnd fleet of foot,And if you think my sweetIt will be trueGoing for youYou're for a fallMy little girl,You're for a fall.Gone the good days,Pleasure and holidays.Planets in orbitCircle aroundBut you my sweetYou will go straightToward the unknownAnd overblownwith sagging skinand treble chinHeavy with fatand flesh that's slackCome gather ye rosesLook ye around,My little oneBlossoms aboundLet them reposeOn the slack tideOf every happiness.So, gather them allOr you'll be surePride comes before a fall(c) S N SolomonsOriginal poem by Raymond QueneauFillette, filletteSi tu t'imaginesSi tu t'imagines, fillette, filletteSi tu t'imaginesXa va xa va va vaVa durer toujoursLa saison des zaLa saison des zaSaison des amoursFillette, filletteCe que tu te gourres Si tu crois petiteSi tu crois ah ahQue ton teint de roseTa taille de guêpeTes mignons bicepsTes ongles d'émailTa cuisse de nympheEt ton pied légerSi tu crois qu'ça vaXa va xa va xa vaVa durer toujours fillette filletteCe que tu te gourres Les beaux jours s'en vontLes beaux jours de fêteSoleils et planètesTournent tous en rondMais toi ma petiteTu marches tout droitVers c'que tu n'vois pasTrès sournois s'approchentLa ride véloceLa pesante graisseLe menton tripléLe muscle avachiAllons cueille cueille Les roses de la vieEt que leurs pétalesSoient la mer étaleDe tous les bonheursAllons cueille cueilleSi tu ne fais pas Ce que tu te gourres Ce que tu te gourres(c) Raymond Queneau04 Anyone lived in a pretty how town (alto voice and guitar)Setting of the poem by e e cummings:anyone lived in a pretty how town(with up so floating many bells down)spring summer autumn winterhe sang his didn’t he danced his did.Women and men (both little and small)cared for anyone not at allthey sowed their isn’t they reaped their samesun moon stars rainchildren guessed (but only a fewand down they forgot as up they grewautumn winter spring summer)that no-one loved him more by morewhen by now and tree by leafshe laughed his joy she cried his griefbird by snow and stir by stillanyone’s any was all to hersomeones married their everyoneslaughed their cryings and did their dance(sleep wake hope and then) theysaid their nevers they slept their dreamstars rain sun moon(and only the snow can begin to explainhow children are apt to forget to rememberwith up so floating many bells down)one day anyone died i guess(and no-one stooped to kiss his face)busy folk buried them side by sidelittle by little and was by wasall by all and deep by deepand more by more they dream their sleepno-one and anyone earth by aprilwish by spirit and if by yes.Women and men(both dong and ding)summer autumn winter springreaped their sowing and went their camesun moon stars rain05 the elves (solo voices, recorders, cello and guitar)Cantata for solo voices (alto alone, or alto with 2 baritones for each character), chorus of three altos representing the elves, tenor recorder, alto recorder, guitar and cello (or several cellos ad lib). The poem by Leconte de Lisle has been translated by the composer's father SN Solomons The sound sample is partly live and partly electronic, the parts being sung by the composer and the recorder parts being played by the Norwegian recorder player Helge Oye.Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain.From out the forest path, known to the deerOn jet black steed there rides a cavalier.His spurs of gold flame in the sombre night.And passing through the pale moon`s shimmering lightYou see, splendid and radiant, flashing fair,A helm of silver on his tossing hair.Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain.In aery swarm they gird and hem him there,Flitting and floating on the muted air."O cavalier, bound through the night serene,Where goest thou so late -"asked the young Queen."Knowest thou not that evil is abroad,Rather come dance with us on the cool sward".Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain."No, for my clear and gentle eyed betrothedAwaits . Early tomorrow we`re to wed.Elves of the meadow, pray you let me by,You who on mossy fairy circles ply.Far from my love, O force me not to stay,For even now I see the gleams of day."Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain."Stay! And I`ll give to thee, my rider bold,The magic opal and the ring of gold,And what is better far than fame or fortune,My robe spun shrewdly by the light of moon"."No!" he said."Go then!" She, with finger starkTouches the trembling warrior to the heart.Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain.The black steed rears and leaps beneath the spur,Rushing and bounding, flying fast and far;But on its back the rider reels and shivers,Sees on his path a pallid spectre quiver,Noiselessly nearing, stretching forth its arm:"Elf! Spirit! Stay me not! Do me no harm!"Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain."Odious phantom, force me not to stay,For I must wed my gentle love today!""O my dear spouse, the tomb, eternally,Shall be our only bridal bed, says she,For I am dead!"and he, seeing 'tis true,With love and anguish falls a dead man, too.Crownèd with thyme and marjoramThe Elves dance joyous on the plain.Translation ©SN SolomonsOriginal poem by Charles-Marie Leconte de Lisle:Les ElfesCouronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.Du sentier des bois aux daims familier,Sur un noir cheval, sort un chevalier.Son éperon d'or brille en la nuit brune ;Et, quand il traverse un ravon de lune,On voit resplendir, d'un reflet changeant,Sur sa chevelure un casque d'argent.Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.Ils l'entourent tous d'un essaim légerQui dans l'air muet semble voltiger.- Hardi chevalier, par la nuit sereine,Où vas-tu si tard ? dit la jeune Reine.De mauvais esprits hantent les forêtsViens danser plutôt sur les gazons frais.Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.- Non ! ma fiancée aux yeux clairs et douxM'attend, et demain nous serons époux.Laissez-moi passer, Elfes des prairies,Qui foulez en rond les mousses fleuries ;Ne m'attardez pas loin de mon amour,Car voici déjà les lueurs du jour.Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.- Reste, chevalier. Je te donneraiL'opale magique et l'anneau doré,Et, ce qui vaut mieux que gloire et fortune,Ma robe filée au clair de la lune.- Non ! dit-il. - Va donc ! - Et de son doigt blancElle touche au coeur le guerrier tremblant.Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.Et sous l'éperon le noir cheval part.Il court, il bondit et va sans retard ;Mais le chevalier frissonne et se penche ;Il voit sur la route une forme blancheQui marche sans bruit et lui tend les bras :- Elfe, esprit, démon, ne m'arrête pas !Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.Ne m'arrête pas, fantôme odieux !Je vais épouser ma belle aux doux yeux.- Ô mon cher époux, la tombe éternelleSera notre lit de noce, dit-elle.Je suis morte ! - Et lui, la voyant ainsi,D'angoisse et d'amour tombe mort aussi.Couronnés de thym et de marjolaine,Les Elfes joyeux dansent sur la plaine.06 Drift (alto voice and guitar)Song based on a poem by Mark Haviland:Music! Music bursts within mebut I never catch the rhythmtime out of place - time out of timeChildren run! The rain is falling!Buildings weep! The sky is calling ...time out of place - time out of timeMusic! Music bursts within meTaller than sequoias, smaller than sequins..The moments drift in ghostly thoughts a-swirl.Words that wander drift asunder,Part reluctant like the lovers as the crossing of the ways.The moments drift in ghostly thoughts a-swirl.Words that wander drift asunder ...07 An Exmas Carol (alto voice and guitar)Composed on Christmas day 1984, using the tune of O little town of Bethlehem on guitar accompanying a new vocal lineOh Lonely child of BethlehemHow quiet you do lieWe cannot hear above the din your message from the skyAnd evening stars together sing the same old Christmas pieceBut in our loves we're fast asleep and strife will never ceaseThe kingdoms of this world pass onand never shall returnbut man forgets it's all in vainwe never seem to learnAnd evening stars together sing the same old Christmas pieceBut in our loves we stay asleep and strife will never ceaseOh lonely Child, humanity!How quiet, quiet, you do lie...08 A mock Christmas carol (alto voice and guitar)Setting of Gavin Ewart's poem"A Mock Christmas Carol" - the meaning of Christmas is totally buried in materialism, but, hey, let's enjoy it.... Jesus Christ was born today hooray hooray hooooray Whatever any of you may say He was born to cancel our terrible sins and save us all from loony bins Hooray hooray hooray hooray hooooray This is no time to watch and pray Let's all get drunk and drink a toast to the Virgin Mary and the Holy Ghost Hooray hooray hooray hooray hooray hooooray Overeating's a luverly way to do him honour. Each Yuletide gift gives him a Godalmighty lift! Hooray hooray hooray hooray hooray hooooray! 09 The flamingo (alto voice and guitar)Setting of a satirical poem by Gavin Ewart. The flamingo thinks he's ever so cultured, but he doesn't know which country his hero (Placido Domingo) was born in. Mi mi mi mi miiiiThe flamingo is very highbrowIt scorns pop music, football and bingoIt would like to be an Italian tenorCalled"Flacido Flamingo"Mi mi mi mi miiiiDisclaimer: Gavin Ewart's poem pre-dates the Muppets character Flacido Flamingo and any connection with the great Spanish tenor Placido Domingo is purely down to the poet's individualistic sense of humour. (The reference to"Italian" also indicates this!)As they say:"It's just a bit of fun!"10 The greedy man considers nuclear war (alto voice and guitar)Setting of Gavin Ewart's satirical poem in which he considers the effects of nuclear war from the point of view of a person who only thinks of food. I suppose you all realise we shall lose the sizzling sausages and the mild mountains of mashed potatoes boiled silverside with dumplings raspberries and cream we shall vanish from the pecking order of the chicken tikka trout with almonds will swim away from us little lambs will no more jump into our mouths fragrant with rosemary All the good wholesome foods will vanish just as surely as sophisticated dishes And what shall we be left with? Some assorted politicians not very good to eat! Some dispirited rootcrops tinned food perhaps ev'rything else burned up the culture of the kitchen, the chef's wisdom of the ages vanished in flame like the bread in a toaster! The end of eating civilisation as we know it!11 Hair of the doggerel (3 alto voices)A canon style hangover song after a poem by Gavin EwartIt's so unfair that alcohol makes you fatand feel next day like a half-dead batthe Devil's at the bottom of thisit's understood'cos you would expect something so niceto be terribly good for you12 The Hebrew Class (alto voice and guitar)Setting of a poem by Carol Rumens considering young Jewish children learning of their ancestryDark night of the year the clinging ice a blue-pavement Dresden smoking still and in lands more deeply frozen the savage thaw of tanks But in the Hebrew class it is warm as childhood it is Cheder is it"Sunday school". It is the golden honey of approval, the slow grainy tear saved for the bread of a child newly broken on the barbs of his Alef Bet To show him that knowledge is sweet and obedience by the same token So we taste power and pleasing and the white chalk lisps on the board milky as our first words. We try to shine for our leader. How almost perfectly human this little circle of bright heads bowed before the declaration of grammatical law. Who could divide our nation of study? not even God We are blank pages hungry for the pen we are ploughed fields soft and ripe for planting what music rises and falls as we softly read? Oh smiling children oh dangerously gifted ones take care that you learn to ask why. For the room you are in is also history. Consider your sweet compliance in the light of the day when the book is torn from your hand When to answer your teacher's command you must speak for this ice this dark.13 Russian style vocalise (alto and guitar)A vocalise based on anonymous Russian folk melodies14 L'inconscient (alto voice and guitar)The poem by Paul Maertens describes a state of dreaming and the things that pass through the unconscious mind - quite dramatic at times. Dans les fluides abîmes de la nuit(In the fluid abysses of the night)Les bruits venus d'ailleurs loin de nous inquiéter(Noises from elsewhere Cause us no concern)Caressent notre chair Comme des bulles perlant sur la peau(They caress our flesh Like bubbles forming on the skin)Dans cette nuit profonde Nous goûtons au plaisir(In this deepest night We sample pleasure)Inconscient du réel(Unconscious of reality)Libre, entrainé par l'immatériel Notre mental dérive(Free and pulled along by the unreal Our mind goes adrift)Nos gestes amortis se perdent dans le flot des ténèbres(Our deadened movements are lost in the flood of shadows)Nous cherchons à saisir l'errance irrationelle d'un present qui n'est plus(We seek to grasp the senseless wandering of the now that is no more)Les souvenirs furtifs composent leur discordante musique(The furtive memories compose their discordant music)coupée de silence(interpersed with silence)là-bas l'ombre s'agite(over there the shadow quivers)la tête des tourments vocifère ses craintes(the face of torments cries out its fears)celle de la vie entonne le chant tumultueux des âges(the face of life intones the tumultuous song of the ages)celle de l'ignorance balbutie et s'enlise(the face of ignorance babbles as it sinks down below)celle de l'amour enlace nos coeurs de son cri retenu(The face of love entwines our hearts with its suppressed cry)et leurs haleines fades dévorent nos passés(and their insipid breath eats up all that we were)et leurs regards décharnés interrogent nos promesses futiles(and their fleshless stare questions our futile promises)Dans les fluides abîmes de la nuit(In the fluid abysses of the night)Les bruits venus d'ailleurs loin de nous inquiéter(Noises from elsewhere Cause us no concern)Caressent notre chair Comme des bulles perlant sur la peau(They caress our flesh Like bubbles forming on the skin)15 Planet (2 alto voices and guitar)Poem by Graham Buck inspired by a poem of SupervielleThe sun sets on Venus a whisper of sound goes abroad Is it a boat crossing an empty lake without an oarsman? is it a memory of the earth come stumbling here or a flower turning towards the light spicing the alien air? is it a memory of the earth come stumbling here or a flower turning towards the light to the light among those birdless trees, spicing the alien air? The sun sets on Venus.16 Little Laser Lady (alto voice and guitar)Song for alto and guitar, based on a poem by Mark Haviland, whose beloved arrived each evening in her Laser car - an Australian car brand.The rhythm is a consistent 3 4 3 4 sequence, very optimistic and lively. She is the sun in the afternoon she is the night's familiar She comes on a beam of mellow gold light and is soft as the scent of camelia But she burns oh she burns with a heat that startles and sears and she has burnt her way right through to my heart. The little Laser LadyShe comes with such speed Brings me the warmth that I need and lights up my world with her gold and her eyes tell what scarcely need be told that the lady is fair that the lady is bright that the lady is air the lady is light and though I touch I never may hope to hold the little Laser Lady...17 Nous n'irons plus aux bois (l'enfance lointaine) (alto voice and guitar)Song based on an old French children's song with rather different words by Marie KeyserNous n'irons plus aux bois,Les lauriers sont coupés,et les jardins désenchantés,où les saisons ne bougeaient pas.Nous n'irons plus aux bois,l'enfance a fané là.Nous n'irons plus enfants,les saisons sont coupées.Les flûtes joueront seulesdans les allées du bois,Car les doigts sont coupés,qui en jouèrent tant.Mon enfance lointaine!Nous n'irons plus enfants.© Marie Keyser[translation]No more shall we go to the woodsThe laurels are cut downand the disenchanted gardenswhere the seasons never changed.No more shall we go to the woodsthat is where childhood faded.No more shall we go, children,The seasons are cut downThe flutes will play all on their ownin the woodland avenuessince the fingers are cut offthat played them so oft.My distant childhoodNo more shall we go, children...18 Invitation to the journey (alto voice and guitar)Setting for alto and guitar of my father's translation of a poem by BaudelaireMy sister, oh my child, think of that life so mild, dwelling together, loving at leisure, loving and dying and in your very land.The brimming suns of those wan skiesevoke such spells: charms without reason, as with the treason of eyes tear-welled. All there is form and beauty, sensual serenity.Soft gleaming chairs, stroked by the years gracing our chamber and rare flowers mingling their odour with scent of amber. Sumptuous ceilings infinite mirrors gracing our chamber,and subtle splendours: all would accord secrets: sweet secrets to the soul in their own words.And all is form and beauty, sensual ecstasy. On the canal float and rock the boats in errant mood. It is to soothe your every whim from far they come. The setting sun enflames the town, the fields, canals alike, in gold and hyacinth, while the world sinks into a warm warm light. There all is formal beauty, calm sensuality. © S N SolomonsOriginal poem by Baudelaire:Mon enfant, ma soeur,Songe à la douceur,D'aller là-bas, vivre ensemble!Aimer à loisir,Aimer et mourir,Au pays qui te ressemble!Les soleils mouillés,De ces ciels brouillés,Pour mon esprit ont les charmes,Si mystérieux,De tes traîtres yeux,Brillant à travers leurs larmes.Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,Luxe, calme et volupté.Des meubles luisants,Polis par les ans,Décoreraient notre chambre;Les plus rares fleursMêlant leurs odeursAux vagues senteurs de l'ambre,Les riches plafonds,Les miroirs profonds,La splendeur orientale,Tout y parleraitA l'âme en secretSa douce langue natale.Là, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,Luxe, calme et volupté.Vois sur ces canauxDormir ces vaisseauxDont l'humeur est vagabonde;C'est pour assouvirTon moindre désirQu'ils viennent du bout du monde.Les soleils couchantsRevêtent les champsLes canaux, la ville entièreD'hyacinthe et d'or;Le monde s'endortDans une chaude lumièreLà, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté,Luxe,calme et volupté.19 Dorian Dance (guitar)Dance in Dorian mode and in 7/4 time, performed by the composer20 Patapan - Guillaume prends ton tambourin (arr. by David Warin Solomons for choir, flute and drum)Known in English-speaking countries as"Willie take your little drum" oralso Pat a pat a pan or even just patapan.I arranged this song with extra flute and drum parts, since the words call for them.Guillaume prends ton tambourinToi, prends ta flûte, Robin;Au son de ces instruments"Turelurelu, patapatapan"Au son de ces instrumentsJe dirai Noel gaîment.C'etait la mode autrefoisDe louer le Roi des roisAu son de ces instruments"Turelurelu, patapatapan"Au son de ces instrumentsIl nous en faut faire autant.L'homme et Dieu sont plus d'accordQue la flûte et le tambour;Au son de ces instrumentsTurelurelu, patapatapanAu son de ces instrumentsChantons, dansons, sautons en![my translation: ]Willie take your little drumWith your flute oh Robin comeWith the sound of flute and drumtootle tootle too, bing a bang a boomwith the flute and with the drumwe will dance and sing as one.In the goodly olden daysThe king of kings we'd praisewith the drum and with the flutetootle tootle too, bing a bang a boom,with the flute and with the drumwe will dance and sing as one.God and man are now at onemore than sweetest flute and drumwith the merry drum and flutetootle tootle too, bing a bang a boom,with the flute and with the drumwe will dance and sing as one.21 We wish you a merry Christmas (arr. David Warin Solomons for one-man choir)My arrangement for men's voices of Arthur Warrell's arrangement of this famous traditional songWe wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheerWe won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring some out hereWe wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.