THREE SONGS (1972)
by RAOUL PLESKOW
Title: Three Songs
I. Of Alchemy
II. Of Magic
III. Of Astronomy
Date of Composition: 1972
Instrumentation: voice with chamber ensemble:
tenor/(high baritone),
clarinet, bass clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
Publisher: American Composers Alliance
Date of Publication: 1972
Duration: 6 minutes
Recordings:
Notes:
Score completed on Jun 5, 1972.
The Song Texts:
I. Of Alchemy
[Text freely adapted from The Rosarium and other ancient Alchemist
writing]
Our gold is not the common gold, therefore keep your mind upon the
salt and think not of other things.
For in the mind alone is the science concealed and the most excellant,
most hidden secret of the ancients.
This elixir, its prime matter, is taken from a single tree that grows
in the land of the West.
The earth, eager to germinate, always produces change.
II. Of Magic
[Test freely adapted form Malaysian Charms. Semangot riang means
wandering soul.]
Be enamored of me.
Be distraught for love of me.
Distraught by day and by night.
Sunset in the hour when evil spirits of all kinds have most power.
Without it the spell merely rises like smoke which is blown away
by the wind.
A swallow has fallen, striking the ground in the middle of our
house yard. But, ye, oh shadows, spectral reapers, see that ye
mingle not with us.
Concentrate youre thoughts on me semangot riang.
Come to your home, come to your palace.
III. Of Astronomy
One star exists higher than all the rest. This is the apocalyptic
star; the second star is that of the ascent. The third [is that]
of the elements, and of these thre are four, so that six stars are
established. Besides these there is [still] another star,
imagination, which begets a new star and a new universe.
-- Paracelsus the Great, Monarch of Arcana
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Created: August 29, 1998
Last Updated: May 28, 2000