The Dying Child

In English

The Dying Child (2005)
Violin and piano or a full quartet including clarinet and cello

The violin part is derived from the solo work Silenzio (violin), which is inspired by a haiku poem by the Japanese master Basho. The work exists in two versions: the first from 2004 for violin and piano, and the second from 2005 with an added bass clarinet and cello part.

The music is based on H. C. Andersen’s heartfelt and profoundly sad poem, portraying a child’s death seen through the child’s own eyes. It explores the transition between life and death, where the child comforts the mother while passing into the beyond.

This edition includes the original score for violin and piano as well as the score with added parts for bass clarinet and cello. All performers play from these two scores.

Duration app. 6 min

Martin Lohse 2005

Poem

Let me repose upon thy bosom sick;
But promise me that thou wilt leave off weeping,
Because thy tears fall hot upon my cheek.
Here it is cold: the tempest raveth madly;
But in my dreams all is so wondrous bright;
I see the angel-children smiling gladly,
When from my weary eyes I shut out light.

Dost thou not hear the music’s sweet accord?
See how his white wings beautifully glisten?
Surely those wings were given him by the Lord!
Green, gold, and red, are floating all around me;
They are the flowers the angel scattereth.
Should I have also wings while life has bound me?
Or, mother, are they given alone in death?

Why dost thou press thy cheek so unto mine?
Thy cheek is hot, and yet thy tears are flowing!
I will, dear mother, will be always thine!
Do not sigh thus – it marreth my reposing;
But if thou weep, then I must weep with thee!
Ah, I am tired – my weary eyes are closing –
Look, mother, look! the angel kisseth me!

Translation Mary Howith around 1850

In Danish

Det døende Barn (2005)
Violin og klaver eller en fuld kvartet inklusiv klarinet og cello

Violinstemmen stammer fra soloværket Silenzio (violin), som er inspireret af et haikudigt af den japanske mester Basho. Værket findes i to versioner: den første fra 2004 for violin og klaver, og den anden fra 2005 med tilføjet basklarinet og cello.

Musikken er baseret på H. C. Andersens inderlige og meget sørgelige digt, der skildrer et barns død set gennem barnets egne øjne. Værket udforsker overgangen mellem liv og død, hvor barnet trøster moderen, mens det begiver sig ind i det hinsidige.

Denne udgivelse indeholder både det oprindelige partitur for violin og klaver samt partituret med de tilføjede stemmer til basklarinet og cello. Alle musikere spiller direkte fra de to partiturer.

Varighed ca. 6 min

Martin Lohse 2005

Digt

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Lad mig ved dit Hjerte slumre ind;
Græd dog ei, det maa Du først mig love,
Thi din Taare brænder paa min Kind.
Her er koldt og ude Stormen truer,
Men i Drømme, der er Alt saa smukt,
Og de søde Englebørn jeg skuer,
Naar jeg har det trætte Øie lukt.

Hører Du den deilige Musik?
See, han har to Vinger smukke hvide,
Dem han sikkert af vor Herre fik;
Grønt og Guult og Rødt for Øiet svæver,
Det er Blomster Engelen udstrøer!
Faaer jeg ogsaa Vinger mens jeg lever,
Eller, Moder, faaer jeg naar jeg døer?

Hvorfor lægger Du din Kind til min?
Den er vaad, og dog som Ild den brænder,
Moder, jeg vil altid være din!
Men saa maa Du ikke længer sukke,
Græder Du, saa græder jeg med Dig.
O, jeg er saa træt! – maa Øiet lukke –
– Moder – see! nu kysser Englen mig!

H. C. Andersen 1825