The Song of the Earth

É um amor antigo. Inspirador. Descobri-o agora numa versão da Chicago Symphony Orchestra, com o poema apresentado em três línguas, incluindo o chinês: o poema original foi composto por Meng Haoran (孟浩然) e Wang Wei (王維) na Dinastia Tang (唐朝). A atracção pelo orientalismo atravessava Viena (e chegou até nós: lembram-se de O Mandarim de Eça de Queirós?). Ponham o volume no máximo. Na verdade, podem esquecer o poema e imaginar sentidos próprios. todos os sentidos. cor odor sabor pele da terra, dos quatro elementos.

Gustav Mahler
Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth)
Final Movement - Der Abschied (The Farewell)
Performed by Yvonne Minton - Conducted by Sir Georg Solti with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Meng Haoran
Staying at Teacher’s Mountain Retreat, Awaiting a Friend in Vain
Dusk sun passes the western peak
Valleys have suddenly darkened
moon above pine trees chills the night
wind, brook, filled with clear sound
woodcutters are almost all home
birds, in mist, are roosting
The man expected to stay the night has not yet come
lonely lute awaits at rattan trail

Wang Wei
Farewell
Dismount horse, drink your wine
Ask you: "Where to?"
You say: "At odds with the world
Return to rest by the South Hill."
Please go. Ask no more.
Endless, the white clouds.

Wang Wei
Farewell in the Mountain
Bid each other farewell in the mountain
Closing wooden gate at dusk
Spring grass green again next year*
Will the honored friend return?

[... e como as traduções do poema evoluíram]