CMLXI. BOLDEMANN, Laci: 4 Epitaphs, Op. 10

CMLXI. BOLDEMANN, Laci (1921-1969)

4 Epitaphs, Op. 10 (1952)
1. Sarah Brown (3:54)
2. Ollie McGee (2:40)
3. Mabel Osborne (5:10)
4. William and Emily (2:13)
Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Kent Nagano, cond.

Four songs from Edgar Lee Masters's Spoon River Anthology:

1. Sarah Brown

Maurice, weep not, I am not here under this pine tree
The balmy air of spring whispers through the sweet grass
The stars sparkle, the whippoorwill calls
But thou grievest, while my soul lies rapturous
In the blest Nirvana of eternal light!
Go to the good heart that is my husband
Who broods upon what he calls our guilty love: --
Tell him that my love for you, no less than my love for him
Wrought out my destiny -- that through the flesh
I won spirit, and through spirit, peace
There is no marriage in heaven
But there is love

2. Ollie McGee

Have you seen walking through the village
A man with downcast eyes and haggard face?
That is my husband who, by secret cruelty
Never to be told, robbed me of my youth and my beauty;
Till at last, wrinkled and with yellow teeth
And with broken pride and shameful humility
I sank into the grave
But what think you gnaws at my husband's heart?
The face of what I was, the face of what he made me!
These are driving him to the place that I lie
In death, therefore, I am avenged

3. Mabel Osborne

Your red blossoms amid green leaves
Are drooping, beautiful geranium!
But you do not ask for water
You cannot speak! You do not need to speak --
Everyone knows that you are dying of thirst
Yet they do not bring water!
They pass on, saying:
"The geranium wants water"
And I, who had happiness to share
And longed to share your happiness;
I who loved you, Spoon River
And craved your love
Withered before your eyes, Spoon River --
Thirsting, thirsting
Voiceless from chasteness of soul to ask you for love
You who knew and saw me perish before you
Like this geranium which someone has planted over me
And left to die

4. William and Emily

There is something about Death
Like love itself!
If with some one with whom you have known passion
And the glow of youthful love
You also, after years of life
Together, feel the sinking of the fire
And thus fade away together
Gradually, faintly, delicately
As it were in each other's arms
Passing from the familiar room --
That is a power of unison between souls
Like love itself!