De Aegypto
for Tenor and Chamber Orchestra
1965, 9:00
De Aegypto is a cantata for tenor voice and chamber orchestra (harp, horn, vla, perc.). It owes its title to the poem of the same name by Ezra Pound. Material for the total rewrite of the piece was computed in 1988, and a computer-based renotation begun in 1992, but the revision was never completed.
De Aegypto is through-composed. It celebrates the poet's song, as does the poem, and is dedicated to my friend, the late poet and composer Gitta Steiner.
I, even I, am he who knoweth
the roads through the sky,
and the wind thereof is my body.
I have beheld the lady of life,
I, even I, who fly with the swallows.
Green and gray is her raiment,
trainling along the wind.
I, even I, am he who knoweth
the roads through the sky,
and the wind thereof is my body.
Manus animam pinxit.
My pen is in my hand
to write the acceptable word,
my mouth to chant the pure singing.
Who has the mouth to receive it,
the song of the lotus of Kymi?
I, even I, am he who knoweth
the roads through the sky,
and the wind thereof is my body.
I am flame that riseth in the sun,
I, even I, who fly with the swallows.
The moon is upon my forehead,
the winds are under my lips.
The moon is a great pearl
in the waters of sapphire.
Cool to my fingers the flowing waters.
I, even I, am he who knoweth
the roads through the sky,
and the wind thereof is my body.
— Ezra Pound