Litanie des derniers quartiers de la lune (Litany of the last quarters of the moon) for voice (mine) & piano

Hello dear fellow composers.

This poem (1886) is part of Laforgue’s Imitation of Our Lady the Moon.

Here the Moon is no longer a muse or confidante, but becomes the star of farewell and forgetting, sealing human hopes in silence and nothingness.

I truly believe that this cycle reflects a part of Laforgue’s own biography — that of a young poet caught in an impossible, broken love story, one almost erased from history, save perhaps for the initial of a name glimpsed in his correspondence. At least, that is the conviction I had while reading these poems.

And so here is the end of my cycle: a piece deliberately sparse, rarefied, silent. It is also, perhaps, a farewell to Laforgue — for now. Time has come for me to explore new paths (and I have been kindly reminded more than once that I am probably composing with a delay of about 120 years…).

I can only hope that these pieces may nevertheless have found some resonance with you. This is one of my most sincere works, born from a curious overlapping of states of mind with Laforgue. And I believe — to confess under the cover of anonymity — that one is never truly safe from falling secretly in love, even at my age. Perhaps this is what makes the kinship so troubling.

Well, that sounds like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; a German singing in French.  I'm sure he had some French, probably more than me, mon tres cher ami!  Of course, the pronunciation is correct:  He was a musician, after all!😆

On 9/11/2025 at 4:02 PM, Churchcantor said:

Well, that sounds like Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau; a German singing in French.  I'm sure he had some French, probably more than me, mon tres cher ami!  Of course, the pronunciation is correct:  He was a musician, after all!😆

 

Haha hum

I'm the singer (it's my job, I'm a pro) and I'm French !

Thank you for comparing me to DFD which is huge. I can't get close to him but no one has ever told me that I have a German accent when I sing in French

haha

I will be lazy on this forum, because I think the mods want it to be some kind of academic thesis!  Archived!  I am 56, with two theory and composition degrees!  Too academic and pedantic for me to comment too much!  Try this...

Three Roads Free Sheet Music by Robert C. Fox for Various Instruments | Noteflight

15 minutes ago, Churchcantor said:

I will be lazy on this forum, because I think the mods want it to be some kind of academic thesis!  Archived!  I am 56, with two theory and composition degrees!  Too academic and pedantic for me to comment too much!  Try this...

 

Three Roads Free Sheet Music by Robert C. Fox for Various Instruments | Noteflight

 

Sorry I don't understand what you mean.

I don't understand the interest of telling me about your diplomas...

I am your age and I respect your background, no problem on that.

But I have absolutely nothing to do with authority opinions.

Ich kann nicht verstehen!  Whatever.  For me, more about music than discussion!  

No need to answer in German... as I already told you I am French, whether you like it or not

If you don't understand the lyrics, activate the subtitles provided on YouTube. You will have the pleasure of discovering a magnificent poetry that undoubtedly retains some of its power in English.

But if you want to talk about music in a constructive way it's ok.

Otherwise this discussion does not need to be

52 minutes ago, Churchcantor said:

I will be lazy on this forum, because I think the mods want it to be some kind of academic thesis!  Archived!  I am 56, with two theory and composition degrees!  Too academic and pedantic for me to comment too much!  Try this...

We just want you to reply something related to the posted music, so you don't need to twist our views, thanks.

Henry