allegro non molto – adagio – presto
after Vivaldi, as performed by Nigel Kennedy,
Sydney Opera House, 27 January 2017
Scorched pines. A sweltering stasis. The heat
has pressed the air almost to silence. Note
follows note like stuttering beads of sweat
but there – in the bow's quick tilt – the cuckoo,
followed by a warbling dove and the trill
of the finch, those fingers thrillingly close.
Breezing triplets flutter against a beat
the north wind blasts to hell – and there'll be more.
A fly-infested lull, a fractious growl
itching for a livewire scare. So why not –
with a stack of Marshalls to hand – let loose
the thunder and lightning for real? ... One ... two
mississippi three mississippi four ...
The cornfields are all trashed by golf-ball hail.
Note:
The poem is based on a literal translation by Anouska Zummo of the sonnet (below) attributed to Vivaldi, found in the score of his concertos commonly referred to as ‘The Four Seasons’, part of Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione (The contest between harmony and invention), published in 1725.
L'Estate
Sotto dura Staggion dal Sole accesa
Langue l' huom, langue 'l gregge, ed arde il Pino;
Scioglie il Cucco la Voce, e tosto intesa
Canta la Tortorella e 'l gardelino.
Zeffiro dolce Spira, mà contesa
Muove Borea improviso al Suo vicino;
E piange il Pastorel, perche sospesa
Teme fiera borasca, e 'l suo destino;
Toglie alle membra lasse il Suo riposo
Il timore de' Lampi, e tuoni fieri
E de mosche, e mossoni il Stuol furioso!
Ah che pur troppo i Suo timor Son veri
Tuona e fulmina il Ciel e grandioso
Tronca il capo alle Spiche e a' grani alteri.