Six Mediaeval Love Songs - Young and Gold Haired
by Jean Coulthard (1962, for baritone & piano)
In many ways, Jean Coulthard and Violet Archer led nearly parallel lives. Born five years apart, both women were pioneers in Canadian music in the middle of the 20th century. Jean Coulthard taught composition at the University of British Columbia, Violet Archer at the University of Alberta. Both had contact with the most prominent composers of their time, including Bartók, Schoenberg, and Hindemith. It is perhaps peculiarly Canadian that two female composers achieved such prominence at a time when music and academia was still so male-dominated. It is also a testament to the talent of both composers that their music and their teaching has had an effect on music in Western Canada for more than a generation.
In many ways, Jean Coulthard and Violet Archer led nearly parallel lives. Born five years apart, both women were pioneers in Canadian music in the middle of the 20th century. Jean Coulthard taught composition at the University of British Columbia, Violet Archer at the University of Alberta. Both had contact with the most prominent composers of their time, including Bartók, Schoenberg, and Hindemith. It is perhaps peculiarly Canadian that two female composers achieved such prominence at a time when music and academia was still so male-dominated. It is also a testament to the talent of both composers that their music and their teaching has had an effect on music in Western Canada for more than a generation.
The selection of songs for this recording are a snapshot of Coulthard's essential lyricism. The Six Mediaeval Love Songs date from 1962. Coulthard has written, “a number of my works composed in the early 1960s may be considered a ‘romantic reaction’ to the more austere serial/neoclassical style so popular at the time in Canada.” She includes this collection among a list of such ‘reactionary’ works. The texts are translations by Helen Waddell from medieval Latin poetry. In keeping with the tenderness of the subject matter, Coulthard has written no “earth-shattering climaxes but many quietly intense and sensuous moods.” The set was premiered by Jon Vickers, to whom it is dedicated. Coulthard’s musical language is perfectly suited to the mood and subject matter of these intimate, sensual texts.
lyrics
Six Mediaeval Love Songs
Translations from the Latin lyrics by Helen Waddell
2. YOUNG AND GOLD HAIRED
Young and gold haired, fair of face, fair of face,
Thou gav’st me tender kisses in my sleep.
If waking I may never, never look upon thee.
O Sleep, I pray you, never let me wake!
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