A special posting by Zita Perera Subasinghe
Our
lovely Zita is not feeling too well at the moment. This post is to request all
of you to think of her and pray for her. She sends her apologies for not
posting enough comments recently. She did this recording some time back but the
title “Meditation” is very appropriate.
"Méditation"
is a symphonic intermezzo from the opera Thaïs by French composer Jules
Massenet. The piece is written for solo violin and orchestra. The opera
premiered at the Opéra Garnier in Paris on March 16, 1894.
The
Méditation is an instrumental entr'acte performed between the scenes of Act II
in the opera Thaïs. In the first scene of Act II, Athanaël, a Cenobite monk,
confronts Thaïs, a beautiful and hedonistic courtesan and devotee of Venus, and
attempts to persuade her to leave her life of luxury and pleasure and find
salvation through God. It is during a time of reflection following the
encounter that the Méditation is played by the orchestra.
The piece is in D major and is approximately five minutes long.
OR click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENLYhyBqPoY
Massenet
may also have written the piece with religious intentions; the tempo marking is
Andante religioso, signifying his intention that it should be played
religiously (which could mean either strictly in the tempo or literally with
religiously-founded emotion). The piece opens with a short introduction by the
harps, with the solo violin quickly entering with the motif. After the violin
plays the melody twice, the piece goes into a section marked animato, gradually
becoming more and more passionate (Massenet wrote poco a poco appassionato).
The climax is reached at a place marked poco piu appassionato (a little more
passion) and is then followed by a short cadenza-like passage from the soloist
and returns to the main theme. After the theme is played twice, the soloist
joins the orchestra while playing harmonics on the upper register as the harps
and strings quietly play below the solo line.
The
Méditation from Thaïs is considered to be one of the great encore pieces. It
has been played by violin soloists with major orchestras throughout the world. It
has been transcribed for piano and for other instruments as well.
This
performance is by our own Zita on her Clavinova. She has captured the mood so well.
So sorry to hear about Zita's present illness. I can't write at length because of my own problems!
ReplyDeleteZita
ReplyDeleteThis meditation music is so fascinating and soothing. Well done.
I have been it contact with Zita for some time and do hope she will come back with active participation in the Blog soon. I am communicating with her daughter Nisha to get her progress reports. Let us pray for her speedy recovery. All the best. Chira
Dear Zita
ReplyDeleteWhat a fine choice of music. Thank you for providing us with a lovely rendition of Massenet’s intermezzo from Thais. It is so beautifully played with emotions and feelings capturing Massenet’s iconic musical drama. I’ve always heard it played on the violin or cello by the masters and it is a welcome change to hear it on a Clavinova. Zita, you have indeed done this masterpiece justice. We are well aware of your keyboard skills and artistry. Some years ago you entertained us with that beautiful Nocturne opus 9 by Chopin on the piano. If I recall correctly, at the time you said you play the piano ‘by ear’ without having any formal lessons. Zita you are a very talented musician. Well done.
Do forget about your inability to be on the blog for the moment. Your tremendous support for the blog in the way of those brilliant rhyming poems, wonderful music and encouraging comments are still fresh in our minds.
I hope you are comfortable and will feel better soon. Being with family at this time must be a blessing. May God be with you on your journey.
Sorry I can’t access the music
ReplyDeleteSanath, not sure why you cannot access the song. I have also now inserted a link to click on (below the image). Please try that.
ReplyDeleteMahen
DeleteI could not access the music with my iPhone but could do so with the iPad after a few manoeuvres. Access was easy with Macbook. Catering for the various different platforms used must be a nightmare. Incidentally I cannot see any of the images on my iPhone unless I click on the link. This however is not a problem for me as I see it on Ipad and Macbook. A link in this situation will allow access to everyone.
Zita, get well soon. I fully enjoyed the music.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDear Zita
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the music,it was soothing and very relaxing.Wish you a speedy recovery.
Dear Zita, Iam very sorry to hear you are unwell. It is so gracious of you to delight us with your lovely performance on the Clavinova in spite of it. Take Care - With Best Wishes-
ReplyDeleteFROM LUCKY
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear that you are not well. I hope you make a speedy recovery.
Thank you, whoever it is. Is that Lucky Weerasooriya?
ReplyDeleteI have been advised by my eye doctors to restrict the time I spend at the computer!
Speedy has taken over as the Blog Administrator.
Zita, sorry for the delay in wishing you a speedy recovery
ReplyDeleteZita, I enjoyed your soulful interpretation of this piece. It is is a piece of music that I have enjoyed over the years, played by different artists, and yours was up there with all of them! I apologize for the delay in posting a comment, but I was "on the road" with a friend, and was hampered by all kinds of technical problems; poor WiFi connections and limited to accessing the blog only on my phone and iPad!
ReplyDeleteI wish you the best in tackling your health problems. That is definitely much more important than making comments on our blog! I'm sending you healing thoughts and prayers, and hoping to "see you" on the blog soon.
Zita,
ReplyDeletehope you are feeling better and thank you for the beautiful rendition of a Massenet composition.
IA
Dearest Zita Please forgive this long overdue comment from your erstwhile "Body Partner"
ReplyDeleteYou know that I am guilty of being a very infrequent visitor to the blog. In fact sometimes several weeks go by before I do.
However when I did visit a couple of days ago, I was absolutely delighted to listen to your sensitive and soulful playing if Meditation. You play with such feeling and expression that you seem to be playing with your heartstrings and not your fingers. Your inner Peace and Tranquility is conveyed so clearly. Thank you so much. It was really moving.
But then again I am not surprised , knowing your background .. your dear mother who was a gifted pianist. Your delightful brothers who made a name for themselves in the local music scene as the " Junior Rhythmiers" Your youngest brother little Gene ( not so little now ) playing a guitar that was almost as big as himself !!
Play on and continue to make our world beautiful . May God Bless you and restore your health . You hold a very special place in my heart and indeed that of my ehtire family.. specially your God Son Shaan.