«Das Wort»

The setting, for soprano, alto and tenor, was submitted to the IB, as part of the assessment for the HL Music exam while Sebastiano was a student at Atlantic College. (The rather inadequate midi-version of the composition, and the translation, are by KA.)

Das Wort Wunder von ferne oder traum Bracht ich an meines landes saum Und harrte bis die graue norn Den Namen fand in ihrem born -- Drauf konnt ichs greifen dicht und stark Nun blüht und glänzt es durch die mark ... Einst langt ich an nach guter fahrt Mit einem kleinod reich und zart Sie suchte lang und gab mir kund: ''So schläft hier nichts auf tiefem grund'' Worauf es meiner hand entrann Und nie mein land den schatz gewann ... So lernt ich traurig den verzicht: Kein ding sei wo das wort gebricht. Stefan George, 1919.

The Word Wonders from dreams and from abroad I carried to my country's port, But for the names I had to wait Which in her depths were searched by Fate. Then I could hold them in my hand And now they blossom in this land ... Once I returned from such a tour With a small treasure rich and pure; She searched for long but had to tell That no such thing slept in her well; At once it vanished from my hand And ne'er this wealth entered the land ... So, sadly, I became aware That things are not if words aren't there.