Songs
Les cloches
(1891)
L65
Part of a series or song cycle:
Deux Romances (L65)
Les cloches
Les feuilles s’ouvraient sur le bord des branches,
Délicatement.
Les cloches tintaient, légères et franches,
Dans le ciel clément.
Rythmique et fervent comme une antienne,
Ce lointain appel
Me remémorait la blancheur chrétienne
Des fleurs de l’autel.
Ces cloches parlaient d’heureuses années,
Et, dans le grand bois,
Semblaient reverdir les feuilles fanées
Des jours d’autrefois.
The Bells
The leaves opened upon the edge of the branches,
Delicately.
The bells rang, light and free,
In the clear sky.
Rhythmically and fervently, like an antiphon,
This distant call
Reminded me of the Christian whiteness
Of altar flowers.
These bells told of happy years,
And, in the great forest,
Seemed to revive the withered leaves
Of days gone by.
If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Composer
(Achille) Claude Debussy was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influential composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Please click here for the full Wikipedia article.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
Previously performed at:
(As part of a song cycle/series:)
- 21 Oct 2018: Debussy & Boulanger: Wolfgang Holzmair & Roger Vignoles
- 12 Oct 2018: Opening Night: A Serenade to Music
About Oxford Lieder
Oxford Lieder is one of the world's leading promoters of song and the winner of a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award. The focal point of each year is the two-week Oxford Lieder Festival in October.
Find out More