Camilo Pessanha and Music

There are several reasons for including António Manuel Couto Viana's text which he used in the recital of poems by Camilo Pessanha accompanied by the original score of Simão Barreto.

There was a very enthusiastic reception for the musical arrangement of Clepsidra. Both Couto Viana and Barreto participated in the performance of the 30th of September which closed the anniversary celebrations of the S. Pio X Academy of Music. This was undoubtedly one of the major events of last quarter of 1987. Both the Academy and the I. C. M. (Cultural Institute of Macau) should take pride in this fact.

After Couto Viana's opening address (an original, unpublished essay on music in Clepsidra), Lopes Graça, Filipe de Sousa and Simão Barreto gave world premiers of works inspired by the poetry of Luís de Camões and Camilo Pessanha, both of whom had connections with Macau.

In this number, the Review of Culture will publish Simão Barreto's scores for the two poems "Viola Chinesa" ("The Chinese Viol") and "Ao Longe os Barcos de Flores" ("Distant Flower Boats") which deserve wider acknowledgement as original works of quality.

At present Simão Barreto is responsible for the music department of the proposed Conservatory of Music of Macau. He studied violin and piano at the National Conservatory in Lisbon where he also studied composition. He has been described by Filipe de Sousa as "a fascinating composer at the forefront of present musical developments". His works for symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra have already been performed in America and over ten European countries.

The best cultural magazines in Portugal, such as "Ocidente" and "Contemporânea" have always included musical scores in their publications. The Review of Culture will now adopt this tradition thus encouraging a more equal balance between all artistic expression, not only that of the written word.

DISTANT FLOWER BOATS

    Alone, the flute weeps its sustained lament,
    Widowed, graceful in the tranquil darkness,
    - A solitary voice fled from the rest,
    - The carousel of music feigning time.

    In the distant sparkling carousing,
    Pure, it defiles the crimson lips...
    Alone, the flute weeps its sustained lament,
    Widowed, graceful in the tranquil darkness.

    And the orchestra? The kisses? Outside the cautious
    Night holds everything still. Only the melodious
    Flute resonates... Who can set it free?
    Who can fathom its irrational grief?

    Alone, the flute weeps its sustained lament...

THE CHINESE VIOL

    The idle talk is fading
    To the mournful tone of the viol.
    Drowsy, I don't even listen
    To the tiresome chit-chat.

    I won't let my heart get involved
    In this nasal, nit-picking,
    Idle talk, fading
    To the mournful tone of the viol.

    But what delicate scar is it
    That the viol touches
    Causing little wings to open
    In painful agitation ?

    To the tone of the viol, mournful...

Camilo Pessanha, Clepsidra