I Never Saw Another Butterfly
Lori Laitman
About this work:
Lauren Wagner suggested that I compose a cycle using texts from I Never Saw Another Butterfly..., a collection of poems written by children from the Terezin Concentration Camp. One cannot help but be touched by the hope and innocence that these children put into their poetry, despite their terrible surroundings. I had also planned on composing a piece for saxophonist Gary Louie, so, as I read these poems, the idea of the saxophone as the sole partner to the voice intrigued me — the sound of the saxophone itself could be haunting, soulful, and reminiscent of Klezmer music.
The six poems that I chose have widely different imagery, allowing for a variety of musical styles. The Butterfly opens the cycle with a cantorial-style saxophone part, conjuring up images of a fluttering butterfly. The vocal line enters with speech-based rhythms that are melodic and lyric. The saxophone continues to accent and comment on the text, and the long saxophone interlude symbolizes the freedom of the butterfly. The poem was written by Pavel Friedmann, who was born on January 7, 1921, deported to Terezin on April 26, 1942, and died in Auschwitz on September 29, 1944. Despite the tremendous sadness of the text, the message of the poem is one of undying spirit.
Yes, That’s the way things are was written by three children -- Kosek, Löwy, and Bachner — who wrote under the name “Koleba”. Reflecting the irony of the poem, the music has a quasi-folk song feel — a dancing, shifting rhythm, and a modal melody switching between a minor and major seventh, typical of Jewish folk song. Inserted in the middle and at the end of the piece is a type of vocalise often found in Jewish folk music, here sung on the syllables “ba-de-dum.” Miroslav Kosek was born on March 30, 1932 at Horelice in Bohemia and was sent to Terezin on February 15, 1942. He died October 19, 1944 at Auschwitz. Hanus Löwy was born in Ostrava on June 29, 1931, deported to Terezin on September 30, 1942, and died in Auschwitz on October 4, 1944. There is no information on Bachner.
The author of Birdsong is unknown. The poem is preserved in manuscript. Again in this poem, the author is able to rise above the living conditions to focus on the loveliness of life. Ascending phrases are used to portray hope, and a vocalise is again employed as an interlude and postlude, as the voice and saxophone combine in a passionate duet.
The feelings of hope manifested in the earlier songs die in The Garden. The poem was written by Franta Bass, who was born in Brno on September 4, 1930. He was sent to Terezin on December 2, 1941, and died in Auschwitz on October 28, 1944. The little boy walking along the garden path is portrayed by a weaving saxophone part with subtle rhythmic changes. Both parts build to a climax, then abruptly come to a close as “the little boy will be no more.”
Man Proposes, God Disposes was also written by the three children who signed their name “Koleba.” This text is a commentary on what used to be, and what is. Like a cabaret song, the vocal line uses a simple melody, and ends each section with a glissando.
The Old House, also written by Franta Bass, ends the cycle. The barren image of the deserted house is captured by the saxophone repeatedly playing one note, like a bell tolling. The voice and saxophone become more expressive as the poet recalls happier days, but then return to the opening texture. The phrase “rotting in silence, ” is repeated three times, to bring the cycle to a close with the voice alone. Also available in a soprano/clarinet version and a soprano/bassoon version.
Version: soprano and saxophone
Year composed: 1996
Duration: 00:14:20
Ensemble type: Voice, Solo or With Chamber or Jazz Ensemble:Solo Voice with One Non-keyboard Instrument
Instrumentation: ,1 Alto Saxophone soloist(s), ,1 Soprano soloist(s)
Instrumentation notes: There is also a soprano with bassoon version; and a soprano with clarinet version. All are published by Arsis Press and available from Classical Vocal Reprints at 1-800-298-7474. (A recording of this can be found on "Mystery - The Songs of Lori Laitman," released by Albany Records (Troy 393).