The song "Silent Worship" is a 1928 adaptation by Arthur Somervell of the aria "Non lo dirò col labbro" from Handel's 1728 opera Tolomeo (Ptolemy). Somervell's English-language adaptation is for voice and piano, and it has remained a popular classic in song recitals and home music-making. Other arrangements of Somervell's translation include voice accompanied by a modern symphony orchestra, and male choir.[1]
Musically Arthur Somervell's song is a simple transcription of the original Handel aria – with the orchestral parts reduced for piano, one or two slight changes in harmony, and the instrumental ending (postlude) omitted.[2]
The text is treated quite differently in the two versions:
In the original Italian baroque aria as set by Handel, the first part of the aria uses a single couplet to express a single two-fold thought: "I will not say it with my lips, they do not have the courage". The words are repeated several times, to emphasize the lack of courage. The second part of the aria expresses a complement to the first, its antithesis – twice as many words for half as much music – and therefore not repeated: "Perhaps, with sparks from yearning eyes, my gaze will speak to reveal how I am consumed by flames". The first part of the aria is then repeated, in A–B–Ada capo aria form.[3]
Somervell's English adaptation took the basic thought and recast it to suit the aesthetic of a later era. Somervell expanded a two-line description of a static emotional state into a 16-line narrative, in which only a single line is repeated. Even the da capo – the reprise of the first part at the end – has a new paraphrase of the first text rather than the simple verbatim repetition which the baroque aria uses.
Popular cultureedit
"Silent Worship" is featured in the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel Emma, where it is sung by Gwyneth Paltrow (as Emma) and Ewan McGregor (as Frank Churchill). Although Somervell's 1928 English adaptation of the 1728 Handel aria was done more than a century after Austen's 1815 novel, the original Italian aria was recorded in Jane Austen's own handwritten songbooks.[4][5] In the film, Somervell's piano introduction to the song is shortened.
"Silent Worship"edit
Did you not hear My Lady Go down the garden singing? Blackbird and thrush were silent To hear the alleys ringing.
Oh saw you not My Lady Out in the garden there? Shaming the rose and lily For she is twice as fair.
Though I am nothing to her Though she must rarely look at me And though I could never woo her I love her till I die.
Surely you heard My Lady Go down the garden singing? Silencing all the songbirds And setting the alleys ringing.
But surely you see My Lady Out in the garden there, Rivaling the glittering sunshine With a glory of golden hair.
silent, worship, song, 1928, adaptation, arthur, somervell, aria, dirò, labbro, from, handel, 1728, opera, tolomeo, ptolemy, somervell, english, language, adaptation, voice, piano, remained, popular, classic, song, recitals, home, music, making, other, arrange. The song Silent Worship is a 1928 adaptation by Arthur Somervell of the aria Non lo diro col labbro from Handel s 1728 opera Tolomeo Ptolemy Somervell s English language adaptation is for voice and piano and it has remained a popular classic in song recitals and home music making Other arrangements of Somervell s translation include voice accompanied by a modern symphony orchestra and male choir 1 Contents 1 Handel Somervell comparison 2 Popular culture 3 Silent Worship 4 Non lo diro col labbro 5 References 6 External linksHandel Somervell comparison editMusically Arthur Somervell s song is a simple transcription of the original Handel aria with the orchestral parts reduced for piano one or two slight changes in harmony and the instrumental ending postlude omitted 2 The text is treated quite differently in the two versions In the original Italian baroque aria as set by Handel the first part of the aria uses a single couplet to express a single two fold thought I will not say it with my lips they do not have the courage The words are repeated several times to emphasize the lack of courage The second part of the aria expresses a complement to the first its antithesis twice as many words for half as much music and therefore not repeated Perhaps with sparks from yearning eyes my gaze will speak to reveal how I am consumed by flames The first part of the aria is then repeated in A B A da capo aria form 3 Somervell s English adaptation took the basic thought and recast it to suit the aesthetic of a later era Somervell expanded a two line description of a static emotional state into a 16 line narrative in which only a single line is repeated Even the da capo the reprise of the first part at the end has a new paraphrase of the first text rather than the simple verbatim repetition which the baroque aria uses Popular culture edit Silent Worship is featured in the 1996 film adaptation of Jane Austen s novel Emma where it is sung by Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma and Ewan McGregor as Frank Churchill Although Somervell s 1928 English adaptation of the 1728 Handel aria was done more than a century after Austen s 1815 novel the original Italian aria was recorded in Jane Austen s own handwritten songbooks 4 5 In the film Somervell s piano introduction to the song is shortened Silent Worship editDid you not hear My Lady Go down the garden singing Blackbird and thrush were silent To hear the alleys ringing Oh saw you not My Lady Out in the garden there Shaming the rose and lily For she is twice as fair Though I am nothing to her Though she must rarely look at me And though I could never woo her I love her till I die Surely you heard My Lady Go down the garden singing Silencing all the songbirds And setting the alleys ringing But surely you see My Lady Out in the garden there Rivaling the glittering sunshine With a glory of golden hair Non lo diro col labbro editAllessandro s cavatina in act 1 of Tolomeo Non lo diro col labbro Che tanto ardir non ha Forse con le faville Dell avide pupille Per dir come tutt ardo Lo sguardo parlera I will not say it with my lips Which have not that courage Perhaps the sparks Of my burning eyes Revealing my passion My glance will speak References edit Silent Worship sung by male choir on YouTube video Georg Friedrich Handel Silent Worship sheet music at Boosey amp Hawkes Non lo diro col labbro on YouTube sung by countertenor David Walker video Emma Non soundtrack Music Notes from site on Emma adaptations Jane s Hand The Jane Austen Songbooks CD and MP3 External links edit Silent Worship on YouTube Kenneth McKellar tenor Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Adrian Boult conductor Silent Worship on YouTube Thomas Allen baritone Non lo diro col labbro on YouTube Romina Basso mezzo soprano Il Complesso Barocco Alan Curtis conductor Silent Worship Somervell Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Silent Worship amp oldid 1153399750, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
