This beautiful and haunting song was composed by Richard Hageman who was born and raised in the Netherlands but who later took on American citizenship. He was considered to be a child prodigy and was thought equal to a concert pianist at the age of 6. In his early years whilst studying in Amsterdam he began to accompany many of the singers at the Amsterdam Royal Opera Company where he eventually was appointed to the position of conductor in 1899 at the age of 18.
After moving to America he held positions at the Metropolitan Opera and Chicago Civic Opera and also became the conductor of the Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles symphony orchestras.
Along with his many Art song compositions he wrote several film scores including the one for “Stagecoach” directed by John Ford, the 1939 movie which Hageman shared an Academy Award for.
The song’s lyrics were taken from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore a Bengali poet and philosopher who Hageman used for the inspiration for this piece and two more of his songs “May Night” and “At The Well”
Do not go, my love, without asking my leave.
I have watched all night, and now my eyes are heavy with sleep;
I fear lest I lose you when I am sleeping.
Do not go, my love, without asking my leave.
I start up and stretch my hands to touch you.
I ask myself, “Is it a dream?”
Could I but entangle your feet with my heart,
And hold them fast to my breast!
Do not go, my love, without asking my leave.
Classically structured songs such as this one are considered Art songs and were usually composed for a single voice and accompanied by piano. They’re used extensively in recitals and for concert repertoire all over the world. These songs were not part of a staged work such as an opera but could sometimes be composed to be performed in a song cycle.
When I decided on the songs to record last summer for my album Canzoni D’Amore , accompanied by George Todica. I wanted to use a mixture of both art songs and operatic arias so that I could share with you my love for a broad range of classical music.
Though my heart is set on the opera stage I will always search out and perform those art songs that inspire or touch me in some way.
I do hope that you enjoy it.
P.S. I could not make up my mind if I should have used the black and white picture or the colour one in my post so in the end I chose the black and white one as it seemed to be in keeping with the other images. I used the colour one in the header so let me know what you think?,
Reblogged this on Bills Blog.
Thanks for the reblog 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks Charlotte, I’m changing the focus of this blog from a bunch of random stuff to more art related things. What better start than to post your marvelous content. Cheers, Bill @billalex
That’s lovely Bill I’m very grateful 😊.
Your B/W post will deter anyone from “letting you go”
That’ll be the plan 😃.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Very nice post Charlotte. It’s good to put the two photos, color and b & w. The color is now the b & w is timeless. You life in the present, but your passion for ancient cultural roots mant that are out of fashion. Passionate you are, you remain passionate. As Art remains art, whatever the time. All th best for you
I just love the gold in the dress and the sun shining through the window, but the black and white did seem to fit better. I agree I intend to win people over 😀.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Beautiful song! This is going to sound weird but I have followed your blog for a couple of years now, and I can really see how you have grown in that time. Also, I will always prefer color to black and white, but that’s just me 🙂
I was really divided I love colour too but the black and white seemed to fit the mood of the piece. I’m training hard, I wish I could sing more hours each day but there’s a balance which has been a hard lesson for me to learn too.
Best wishes
Charlotte 😊
I like the B&W. It is quite artistic and carries with it a sense of drama in keeping with the music and poem.
Thanks John, it’s actually quite hard to find a photo where I’m not smiling he he, Sam suggested last summer on this shoot to take some reflective shots, I was glad he did.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I love the B&W picture of your on the window. Well done!
Thank you 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I like both photos very much but I agree that the black and white suited the mood of the song. I have never heard of Richard Hageman before but I think the song lovely and your rendition superb. You have such power and richness in your voice especially in those lower notes – lovely!
Yes I think it did suit the mood of the post better. Thanks for the compliment Clare.
Best wishes
Charlotte
My pleasure, Charlotte.
What a lovely song! Thanks for introducing us to Hagemann. By itself the color photo is quite beautiful, but I just love the B&W photo in this context—I agree with John W. Howell, it is more dramatic.
I’m so happy to introduce Hageman, such a talented man, he was assistant conductor and conductor at the Metropolitan Opera from 1908 to 1932, it is a lovely song and thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The B&W is nice, but the colour is gorgeous, or would be at a proper size.
I love colour too, I’m sure you’ll see the colour one used at some point over the next year I had to save my summer earnings for this photo-shoot so I only have so many to use. My brother Tom had a new camera I’m trying to persuade him to really practice a lot with it lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Excellent song. I particularly liked the way it ended. As for the shots, theye are both excellent. I agree with those who consider the b/w more appropriate with this song, but the colour is very mellow and attractive too.
It was a lovely late summer evening I enjoyed working with Sam on these photos it was fun, every photo he took he sent me a colour and a black and white image choices, choices lol.
Best wishes
Charlotte
You look lovely in both dresses. I do like the light one on you the best though because of your hair and coloring. The song was beautiful and you did an outstanding performance of it! xo
My parents bought the sequin blue dress for me a couple of years ago way over my budget; I love it and wear it whenever I can, so comfy. The gold one was such a find a real bargain too, it’s gorgeous in real life because the lace is shimmery but I have to be careful to get the neck-line on right. Thank you.
Best wishes
Charlotte
As a fan of Charlotte I will not go .!! no man could go away from her window , really , really like that as the sun rays shine upon her and warm her .
Ron you are a charmer 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
The color photo does good to greet one at the top of the blog post, the B & W photo then sets the tone for the drama of the musical piece. And the musical presentation does not disappoint. Everything was flowing in fine style, Brava!
Thank you Annette that’s exactly what I was trying for 🙂 a flow, I bet the video would look quite good black and white hmmmm… Dad 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
The song is very nice and you did a great job. I couldn’t see a full size version of the color picture. Maybe I’d change my mind if I could, but for me the B&W does it.
Thanks Trent, on reflection I’m glad I went with the main photo B&W the way I did.
Best wishes
Charlotte
very beautiful charloote great pianist matched with your incredible voice
Thank you, it’s always fabulous to sing with great pianists and George is super. He is a concert pianist and doesn’t do much accompaniment so I was very lucky the Conservatoire persuaded him to work with me for the competition. If you click on his name in the main text it goes to his You Tube channel with his normal repertoire.
Best wishes
Charlotte
thankyou Charlotte i will have a look.
The song reminds me very much of Frank Sinatra’s “If You Are But A Dream”, l945, based on Anton Rubinstein’s “Romance in E flat, Op. 44, No. 1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_You_Are_But_a_Dream
Sinatra is one of my dad’s (and mine) favorite Italiano artists and this song was a big hit for a lot of artists back in the day as well as recently.
“If You Are But a Dream” was featured most prominently in Woody Allen’s 1987 film, Radio Days, which features the 1944 recording on the soundtrack. Definitely an art song.
http://a.tumblr.com/tumblr_llol30NWLc1qgf2zwo1.mp3 download here
If you are but a dream
I hope I never waken
Its more than I could bear
To find that I’m forsaken
If you’re a fantasy
Then I’m content to be
In love with lovely you
And pray my dream comes true
I long to kiss you
But I would not dare
I’m so afraid
That you may vanish in the air
So darling
If our romance should break up
I hope, I never wake up
If you are but a dream
I long to kiss you
But I would not dare
I’m so afraid
That you may vanish in the air
So darling
If our romance should break up
I hope, I never wake up
If you are but a dream
As usual, your performance touched my rogue soul. And yes, I know a bit of Italian 🙂
All the best,
Jim
Gorgeous lyrics Jim, I’ll have to listen to the song as I don’t know it off the top of my head but quite often I say that and I have heard the song before. When I sang in Italy I worked so hard on the pronunciation that when I came of the stage people thought I was fluent which was a lovely compliment but I felt so rude not being able to converse I’m working on my languages, French at the moment.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Particularly suited to your voice with the warm mid-range. I like the autserity of the black and white.
There are just so many gorgeous songs I want to learn Gert, if you have any suggestions let me know.
Best wishes
Charlotte
“Blow the wind southerly”. Have you ever sung that? I have Kathleen Ferrier (my favourite) in duet with Isobel Buchanan. Also Berlioz, Nuits d’ete. I like Frederica von Stace but many have sung it. Wonderful.
The black and white phot is stunning. I also love the navy blue gown you’re wearing in the video. Oh, and your voice is amazing, too!
Thank you Nanette it’s so great to have the occasions to wear long dresses.
Best wishes
Charlotte
A beautiful rendition, Charlotte. So haunting as you say. I did gulp to start with as I confused him with Richard Clayderman 😮 To be a concert pianist at 6 is beyond comprehension.
I thought I worked hard but concert pianists work so long and hard at their skill, it just reminds me why I’m still plonking along at grade VI. Child prodigies often start so young too Mozart debuted at the age of 4!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Both are great in my mind, just different…
You just sit on the fence UncleS 🙂 which is quite difficult for a camel I’d guess. Ha ha
Best wishes
MissyH
And flippin’ painful
Lol 😃😄
Great. Wonderful. Nothing changes! Thank you.
That’s one of the reasons I love the classics Marcus and new compositions in a classical style, I like a singing challenge.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It is a lovely post Charlotte and another fantastic song, well done. I like the colour one but the black and white is in keeping with your post. X
Ask Mum to show you the full set of photographs Sam did a great job.
Best wishes
Charlotte
What a beautifully haunting song – nicely done! And the b&w photo is lovely.
It’s helped by the acoustics in the very large and beautiful King George’s Hall in Blackburn.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Aawww..:) so swweeet.. You looks really beautiful..:)
Joshi thanks for visiting with me, I’m really struggling to get around to everyone’s blogs this term.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Ohh its my pleaure.. U r added to my favourites so i never gonna miss you nd you posts too. .:)
Nd song is really nice too
And thank you for the compliments too 🙂
Best wishes again,
Charlotte
Most welcome..:)
Have a nice day..!
Reblogged this on A ma vie de coer entier and commented:
Charlotte Hoather has a wonderful voice which so beautifully enhances this haunting song.
Thank you for the reblog and sharing my post I appreciate it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I so enjoyed listening to your beautiful singing while reading your very interesting description of the composer and the poem that inspired him. Thank you. I think the black and white photograph most becoming.
And thank you for your lovely compliment 🙂
All the best
Charlotte
A beautiful song… interesting that the lyrics are from Tagore’s poetry. Thanks for sharing with us at the start of a New Year. Great photo that first one. All the best for a wonderful New Year, Charlotte!
Thanks Arti and I hope you have a great New Year too, as I said on your blog thanks for the great film recommendations several of which I wouldn’t have seen without your guidance that are now firm favourites.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is a wonderful information…Tagore is loved by everyone in my family and right now I’m reading a book of his short stories. His songs and poems define modern Bengali culture and being from a Bengali family have lot of his works in my home.
Really liked your performance and the picture in black and white is giving a wonderful look and defining the song. 🙂
That’s really cool Gaurab, I’m glad to connect in this way sometimes you just don’t realise connections like this. Thank you 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
This is my favorite performance/song I’ve heard from you to date. Amazingly great control of your voice throughout. With the photos, I agree 100% with Annette Rochelle.
It’s funny how a picture can paint the words to prepare for the song, so happy you like this one 😊.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m biased towards B&W photography, so yours is my favourite of the two, especially because of its romantic aura.
The lyrics are lovely, your expressions capture the essence of the song, and you’re a goddess in that purple gown.
I hope to attend a live opera one day. It looks quite the experience.
BTW, did I wish you Happy New Year? Happy 2015! Here’s to more lovely singing and an even more fabulous operatic career!
How powerful!! Such a full and rich voice from such a slip of a frame!! Bravo
The black and white picture is beautifully haunting and atmospheric. I never knew this was Rabindranath Tagore. I don’t know how you see this, but I imagine the poet sitting at the deathbed of his beloved – very sad.
Fab. U rock.
Reblogged this on antoniopedrojf.
Thank you for this beautiful song, Charlotte. Tweeted and posted on FB. I have a writer friend who used to sing Early English music as a soprano. I’m sure she’ll be interested as well.