Zwei Menschen unter dem Mond (2023) - Varis Sirisook

Jonathan Eyers - Baritone
Thomas Eeckhout - Piano
Premiered at the Clore Studios, New College, University of Oxford on 18th October 2023 as part of the Composition Workshop in the Oxford International Song Festival.
The lyrics of this art song are based on Verklärte Nacht, a poem by Richard Dehmel from 1896. This same text inspired Arnold Schoenber’s revered tone poem, Op. 4 for string sextet. Verklärte Nacht tells the story of a couple walking through a dark forest guided by moonlight. The woman confesses that before they met, she became pregnant by another man to fulfil her desire of becoming a mother, but now regrets it, having met the man she wishes to build a family with. Despite her remorse, the man comforts her and accepts the unborn baby, for love would make the stranger’s child their own. In the original poem, the woman appears mostly apologetic, while the music in this piece creates a tenser, more frantic atmosphere, injecting her verse with the wild fear of damnation as well.
Lyrics (Translations in the pinned comment):
Zwei Menschen gehn durch kahlen, kalten Hain;
der Mond läuft mit, sie schaun hinein.
Der Mond läuft über hohe Eichen;
kein Wölkchen trübt das Himmelslicht,
in das die schwarzen Zacken reichen.
Die Stimme eines Weibes spricht:
"Ich trag ein Kind, und nit von Dir,
ich geh in Sünde neben Dir.
Ich hab mich schwer an mir vergangen.
Ich glaubte nicht mehr an ein Glück
und hatte doch ein schwer Verlangen
nach Lebensinhalt, nach Mutterglück und Pflicht;
Ich trag ein Kind, und nit von Dir,
ich geh in Sünde neben Dir.
Nun hat das Leben sich gerächt:
nun bin ich Dir, o Dir, begegnet."
Sie geht mit ungelenkem Schritt.
Die Stimme eines Mannes spricht:
"Das Kind, das Du empfangen hast,
sei Deiner Seele keine Last,
o sieh, wie klar das Weltall schimmert!
Es ist ein Glanz um alles her;
Du treibst mit mir auf kaltem Meer,
doch eine eigne Wärme flimmert
von Dir in mich, von mir in Dich.
Die wird das fremde Kind verklären,
Du wirst es mir, von mir gebären;
Du hast den Glanz in mich gebracht,
Du hast mich selbst zum Kind gemacht."
Der Mond läuft mit, sie schaun hinein.
Zwei Menschen gehn durch hohe, helle Nacht.

[@VarisSirisook]

Translations (Mary Whittall):
Two people are walking through a bare, cold wood;
the moon keeps pace with them and draws their gaze.
The moon moves along above tall oak trees,
there is no wisp of cloud to obscure the radiance
to which the black, jagged tips reach up.
A woman's voice speaks:
"I am carrying a child, and not by you.
I am walking here with you in a state of sin.
I have offended grievously against myself.
I despaired of happiness,
and yet I still felt a grievous longing
for life's fullness, for a mother's joys and duties;
I am carrying a child, and not by you.
I am walking here with you in a state of sin.
Now life has taken its revenge,
and I have met you, met you."
She walks on, stumbling.
A man's voice speaks:
"Do not let the child you have conceived
be a burden on your soul.
Look, how brightly the universe shines!
Splendour falls on everything around,
you are voyaging with me on a cold sea,
but there is the glow of an inner warmth
from you in me, from me in you.
That warmth will transfigure the stranger's child,
and you bear it me, begot by me.
You have transfused me with splendour,
you have made a child of me."
The moon keeps pace with them and draws their gaze.
Two people walk on through the high, bright night.

[@sathaporntham]

Great! 👍

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks!

[@summonchomchai4001]

Varis, a talented young Thai composer, has created something truly commendable. The seamless blend of his music with a German poem resulted in a captivating and emotive experience. The depth and beauty of this musical creation reflect Varis's skill in crafting a harmonious collaboration, deserving genuine praise. Witnessing a young artist express such creativity is heartening, and I'm thoroughly impressed by the outstanding work done by Varis. Kudos to him for this remarkable achievement!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much for your kind words and support. I really appreciated it.

[@monchaija]

Cool stuff! Keep it coming!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much! Really appreciated.

[@arthornwichitamornloet8300]

Nice one! 👌👍

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you!

[@niyadaviravaidhya2421]

Cool composition. Great job 👍

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much.

[@Tongkyish]

Very nice composition.

[@VarisSirisook]

Many thanks!

[@NarongsakVisesnut]

Beautiful piece.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks.

[@punpun_natcha]

Good job! What a great composition to carry this beautiful poem. I especially liked when it intensified.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much! I really like the trajectory of this poem.

[@PannitaMamanee]

Great Job, congratulations!! :)

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much, Eve!

[@lunla]

Nice 👍👍

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks.

[@KMatariki]

Nice composition, congratulations ka 🎉

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much krub.

[@rungson72]

Love this!! Great job Tay.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you!

[@pingk.5552]

Nice compose👍🏻

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@dbeagle16]

Marvelously sweet!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you for listening.

[@keril2479]

Awesome work, Tay! Keep it up and can't wait to see what you do in the future.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks. More to come.

[@vintageguru]

❤really great job Varis

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ratthakornsirisook2018]

Wow!! Great job Tay.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you!

[@upkammatheptheeralertrat9909]

Very cool composition ❤

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you.

[@Wiroonguitar]

Very nice compose🎉

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you!

[@kungrew5519]

An amazingly well-composed piece that portrays the poem very dynamically. The contrast between sections also add a great deal of colour to the piece, very impressive!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much! Really appreciated.

[@BaobaoChen-x1h]

Amazingly, He suerly is a talented Thai vocal, and have a nice voice.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks, but this was not me singing. It was Jonathan Eyers, a New Zealander Baritone, who sang it wonderfully and beautifully.

[@boatnxp5423]

This is so wholesome Tay. Amazing piece indeed

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much!

[@SineenartKuncharoen]

Beautiful composition. Very well done!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much.

[@bambiarisa]

great job Tay!!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks a lot.

[@nalintgs]

The music match to the lyric and it is interesting to listen.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much

[@paakpoom]

I heard several ingredients in the composition, Impressionism, Atonal, almost-Free-Jazz, Viennese classical feel, and jazz piano ending.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much.

[@parinyasuthisophon5856]

Great work.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks!

[@yachtschannel6943]

Another glamorous work by Varis Sirisook, thoroughly enjoyable with a great rendition of the piece by the performers.

[@VarisSirisook]

Many thanks! The performers were amazing in this!

[@nattakonlertwattanaruk]

So delicious!

[@VarisSirisook]

Thanks. I'm glad you like it.

[@ThePanpak]

It is not easy for a Thai child growing up in Thailand to be able to compose beautiful German songs like this. I have known Varis since childhood and have always seen great musical development. Until I'm sure We can use the word musical genius to this child without a doubt

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much! I became interested in the German language about 5 years ago and contrary to what most people say, it’s a beautiful language.

[@saransrithawatpong380]

Nice bro, It’s a beautiful perception. Waiting for the new one.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much! Plenty more pieces in the future.

[@thansantikunnukan1927]

The way he has composed it is very captivating and intriguing.

[@VarisSirisook]

Thank you very much.