Many of you know that I spent many years writing classical music before adopting progressive music as my main vehicle for artistic creation. So far in Phaedrus Music, you have seen some pieces with maybe a higher content of purely classical arrangements as opposed to the music I do through Kotebel, where the classic elements are incorporated in the framework and the approach to the writing of music, rather than on the language per se.

Because of the nature of Phaedrus’ subscribers, who are an educated community with an eclectic and open approach to music, this magazine is the perfect vehicle for my “more classical” compositions. A good example is the piece “La Papesse – The High Priestess” for piano, flute and clarinet that was very well received. Now comes the time for another classical composition. This piece is inspired in the tradition of the romantic lieder of the 19th century, but with a little dose of impressionism.

Its language is totally latter part of the 19th century, but I have incorporated electric bass, synthesizers and electronic effects to create a piece more in line with contemporary aesthetics. Another important change is that, instead of a classical lyric soprano, I have opted for the warm, natural and beautiful voice of Natali Castillo.

Thanks to my wife, the poet Nathalye Engelke Santos, for her wonderful lyrics:

Más allá de guerras sin tregua, donde los llantos son cantos dormidos
Beyond the endless wars, where tears are dormant chants,
 
Seguiré tus pasos, buscados en la niebla, sobre el manto de sueños perdidos.
I will follow your footsteps, searching in the mist over the mantle of lost dreams.
 
 
Y el viento será mi aliado
And the breeze will be my ally
 
Y las estrellas estarán conmigo
And the stars will be with me
 
 
Cuando la duda asoma, breve instante de mi fe perdida
When doubt looms, brief instant of my lost faith,
 
Clamo tu nombre, sálvame la vida
I cry out your name; save my life.
 
Apártame del miedo, quiero que seas mi espejo, y reflejar, sin dudas, el amor de tu aliento.
Remove my fear, be my mirror, reflecting without doubt the love of your breath.
 
Más allá del silencio eterno, me guías tranquilo
Beyond eternal silence, you calmly guide me
 
Siendo en mi dolor, consuelo
Being in my pain, consolation.
 
En mi soledad, abrigo
In my loneliness, refuge.
 
En el temor, mi amigo.
In my fear, my friend.
 
 
Y el viento será mi aliado
And the breeze will be my ally
 
Y las estrellas estarán conmigo
And the stars will be with me
 
 
Mientras mi camino avanza, abrazo mi sombra y descubro la nada
As my path advances, I embrace my shadow,
Discovering the void
 
Llega a mi pecho la esperanza.
Hope fills my being
 
 
Encuentro en cada aliento, colores en mis manos. Y pintaré mis deseos, con la paz de mi tiempo.
I find in each breath, colors in my hands, and I will paint my desires with the peace of my time.

I hope you enjoy this rare combination of classical and contemporary elements. This piece is very dear to me; I hope you enjoy it as much as I did creating it.

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Credits

Music written and arranged by Carlos G. Plaza Vegas.
Lyrics by Nathalye I. Engelke Santos. English translation by Vilma. L. Sánchez

Natali Castillo: Voice
Carlos Plaza: Piano, keyboards, electric bass

Image: “The Creation of Light” by John Martin. John Martin [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

© 2017 Carlos G. Plaza Vegas. All Rights Reserved