La Bonne Chanson – L’hiver a cessé

Fauré composed "La Bonne Chanson" for his lover Emma Bardac, who later married Claude Debussy. This video was taken from a complete performance of the cycle on November 18, 2012 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, California. Performers: Kevin Kumar and Maia Jasper, violins and co-artistic directors Meredith Crawford, viola Yves Dharamraj, cello Geoff Osika, bass Scott Dunn, piano Elissa Johnston, soprano Text translated from Verlaine by Maia Jasper: IX. Winter has ended Winter has ended: the light is warm And dances, from the ground to the clear heaven. The saddest heart must give way To the great joy scattered through the air. All year I've had spring in my soul And the green return of the sweet blossoming, Just as a flame surrounds a flame, Is the ideal set upon my ideal. The blue sky extends, enlarges and crowns The immovable azure where my love laughs. The season is beautiful and my share is good And all my hopes finally have their turn. How summer comes! How later comes Autumn and winter! And every season Will be charming to me, oh You who decorate This fantasy and this thought!