Alla Luna (Wytze Oostenbrug)

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• (Posted 2025-01-27)  CPDL #83573:         

Editor: Wytze Oostenbrug (submitted 2025-01-27).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 473 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: This is the a cappella version.

• (Posted 2025-01-27)  CPDL #83572:         

Editor: Wytze Oostenbrug (submitted 2025-01-27).   Score information: A4, 10 pages, 517 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: This is the version with piano accompaniment.

General Information

Title: Alla Luna
Composer: Wytze Oostenbrug
Lyricist: Giaccomo Leopardi^{create page}
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Secular, Partsong

Language: Italian
Instruments: Piano

First published: 2025
Description: The beginning of the idyll is formed by a reference to the moon, Leopardi’s good friend and silent confidant in his troubles. A year later the poet returns once more to the top of Mount Tabor, a hill that rises south of Recanati (near the Adriatic coast), to admire the star, whose aesthetic pleasantness and moral qualities he repeats.

Before the spectacle of the moon, which illuminates the forest below with a subdued and milky light, the poet tries to find solace in Petrarch’s solitude for his inner torments, even though he understands that even the star – although favorable – will not accompany him.

There are 2 versions: for choir SATB a cappella and with piano accompaniment.

Alla Luna is part of the cycle "Canti" (songs).

External websites:

• Description and analysis: https://wytzeoostenbrugmuziek.com/alla-luna-2025/
• Video with electronic sound in the a cappella version: https://youtu.be/9iitTTPzrLw
• Video with electronic sound in the version with piano: https://youtu.be/JhThmnirzX0

Original text and translations

Italian text Alla Luna O graziosa luna, io mi rammento che, or volge l’anno, sovra questo colle io venia pien d’angoscia a rimirarti: e tu pendevi allor su quella selva siccome or fai, che tutta la rischiari. Ma nebuloso e tremulo dal pianto che mi sorgea sul ciglio, alle mie luci il tuo volto apparia, che travagliosa era mia vita: ed è, né cangia stile, o mia diletta luna. E pur mi giova la ricordanza, e il noverar l’etate del mio dolore. Oh come grato occorre nel tempo giovanil, quando ancor lungo la speme e breve ha la memoria il corso, il rimembrar delle passate cose, ancor che triste, e che l’affanno duri! English text To the moon O gracious moon, I remember that now the year is turning, I came to this hill full of anguish to gaze upon you: and you hung then over that forest as you do now, illuminating it all. But cloudy and trembling from the tears that rose on my eyelids, your face appeared to my eyes, that troubled was my life: and it is, nor does it change style, oh my beloved moon. And yet it benefits me to remember, and to count the ages of my pain. Oh how pleasing it is in youthful time, when hope is still long and memory has a short course, to remember past things, even though sad, and the anguish endures!

Dutch text Aan de maan O liefelijke maan, ik weet nog goed hoe ik, een jaar geleden, vol van zorgen op deze heuvel kwam om jou te zien: en jij hing toen daarginds boven dat bos dat je ook nu weer met je licht besprenkelt. Maar ach, omfloerst en trillend door de tranen die bij mij opwelden, o lieve maan, kwam jij mij toen voor ogen, want ellendig was mijn bestaan, zoals ’t ook nu nog is en altijd blijven zal. Maar toch is ’t mij een troost om terug te denken aan dat leed en aan de duur ervan. O wat een vreugd om in de jeugd, wanneer de hoop nog groot en de herinnering maar klein kan zijn, te toeven bij de dingen van ’t verleden, hoe droef ze ook zijn en hoe de pijn ook voortduurt! Translation: Frans van Dooren