„LA MORT DES AMANTS“     („DEATH OF THE LOVERS“) words by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE    music by ALEXANDER BAILLIE for soprano and cello ensemble Painting by Christel Baillie (www.christelbaillie.com) Conceived for the same instrumentation and as a possible companion piece for „Bachianas Brasileiras No.5“ by Villa-Lobos this is an unusual and effective adition to the repertoire for voice and cello ensemble.The cello parts are ideal for young student cellists of school age to encounter an exotic world of sound colours and challenging, evocative playing techniques. There is a rich variety of conventional playing which lies easily on the instrument. The harmonic language frequently uses a whole tone scale and serves as a useful introduction to „French-impressionistic“ modern music. The musical ideas are simple and graphic and include special sounds such as the „white noise“ at the very end and the haunting „seagulls“ made by slides in stopped harmonics. The eight seperate cello parts are specially laid out in pairs, two to a stand. The voice line is cued so that players can follow the poem, the extraordinary language and imagery. Thus the work can be performed without a conductor. The music owes a great deal to inspiration from some of Baillie’s favorite composers; Britten, Debussy, Schumann, and Henri Dutilleux. The key of the work is B flat major. Two of the celllists are asked to de-tune their lowest strings B flat and F sharp. This gives a wonderfully rich depth to the whole ensemble sound. The piece is roughly 15 minutes long. The performance material can be purchased in a LIMITED EDITION (available from August 2011) which includes: a printed copy of the score a set of parts specially laid out with two cellos to a stand and the voice line cued A reduction for piano and voice for study purposes is available seperately. The cover illustration is a painting by Christel Baillie (www.christelbaillie.com) The first performance of the final revised version was given at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London on 22nd March 2011 by ANGELIQUE LIHOU and the „Baudelaire Ensemble“ of cellists conducted by Alexander Baillie. See the video on Youtube. Please order through alexander_baillie@t-online.de tel: 0049-173-2406009 Photo by Andrew Waltham Nous aurons des lits pleins d'odeurs légères, Des divans profonds comme des tombeaux, Et d'étranges fleurs sur des étagères, Ecloses pour nous sous des cieux plus beaux. Usant à l'envi leurs chaleurs dernières, Nos deux coeurs seront deux vastes flambeaux, Qui réfléchiront leurs doubles lumières Dans nos deux esprits, ces miroirs jumeaux. Un soir fait de rose et de bleu mystique, Nous échangerons un éclair unique, Comme un long sanglot, tout chargé d'adieux ; Et plus tard un Ange, entr'ouvrant les portes, Viendra ranimer, fidèle et joyeux, Les miroirs ternis et les flammes mortes. We shall have beds full of subtle perfumes, Deep couches like tombs, And on the stairways strange flowers Blossom for us under the most beautiful heavens. Gladly using their last warmth Our two hearts will be two immense torches Which will reflect each others double light In our two spirits, these twin mirrors. One evening made of rose and of mystical blue we will exchange a unique flash Like a long sob filled with farewells; And later an Angel, setting open the doors, Faithful and joyous, will come to revive The tarnished mirrors, the dead flames.