Song to the Masters III: Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne in Black and Gold – The Falling Rocket
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (American, 1834-1903)
Music pairing: Frederic Chopin - Nocturne in B Flat Minor, Op. 9, No. 1
If Romance desires definition without words,
In Chopin beyond becoming standards;
What fertile period brought forth symphonic poetry,
Not single emotion but intense complex creativity;
Need not a romantic be -
Through you a wistful awakening.
Slip on silky darkness in murmurs and whispers,
Under a willow we converse poetry in your fingers;
Prefer not on stage perform with audience ring,
Strike not notes ardent in small intimate setting;
You need not raise or invigorate -
Subtle strokes touch tender and temperate.
Chords and constellations connect beams of light,
Scintillating silent streams among night;
Ah, if stars serenade, your Nocturne they would twinkle -
High notes of C and E shine and tinkle;
Countless winking stars pure yet practiced,
A windless field of gentle blossoms chaliced.
Write the only ever Opus to soothe turbulence,
The sole piece I studied without consequence;
To love without fury or force,
Harmonic persuasion bind mutual discourse;
A pillar poignant, profound, ever sensorial,
A teacher and friend through times mercurial.
Oh, Chopin,
In your verses tonal,
I am ever, ever loyal.