In 2024, conflicts are intensifying in many parts of the world. I strongly hope for the early ends of the wars and for peace and tranquility to come. Music may not be able to change politics, but it certainly has the power to move people’s hearts and change their consciousness. ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS＞ is one of the pieces that symbolizes this “wish for peace.” I have selected three ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS＞ pieces performed with great emotion.
#268 The One Played by Pablo Casals with All His Hearts
A Concert At The White House / Pablo Casals
(Sony Music SICC-30416)
The melody of ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS＞ is a traditional Catalan Christmas carol. And speaking of ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS,＞ it is impossible not to mention first the performances by Pablo Casals (1876.12-1973.10), a Catalan-born cellist who gained international fame as the greatest cellist of the 20th century. During his lifetime, Casals always performed this piece on stage and continued to call for peace in the world. Casals fled to France during the Spanish Civil War in his early 60s. Once he stopped performing in opposition to recognizing the Franco regime, and in his later years, he moved to Puerto Rico and continued to work there.
This album features the historic performance that Casals gave in the East Room of the White House in 1961, when he was invited by then-President (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy. Casals, who had refused to perform in the U.S., was so struck by President Kennedy’s humane personality that he agreed to perform there. On the day, Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio, Couperin, and Schumann’s pieces were also performed, with long-time colleagues of Casals, Mieczyslaw Horszowski on the piano and Alexander Schneider on the violin. And, at the end of the concert, he played ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS.＞ Here, Casals played the melody with a slight growl, filled with longing for his homeland. It is a masterful performance that renews my impression no matter how many times I listen. This is what a soulful performance is all about. It is also well known that in 1971, at the age of 94 toward the end of his life, he performed this song at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and gave a speech in which he said, “Birds [of my homeland, Catalonia], sing when they are in the sky, they sing: Peace, Peace, Peace. ”
#269 Giovanni Guidi’s “SONG OF THE BIRDS” Revived in Modern Times
A NEW DAY / Giovanni Guidi
(ECM ⇒ Universal Music UCCE-1209)
Born in Foligno, near Perugia in central Italy, Giovanni Guidi is a pianist who demonstrates a unique style with his intelligent and adventurous touch. This is his fifth album for ECM, and ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS＞ is featured on the first track. Acclaimed tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis joined Guidi’s trio, and his gentle yet expressive tenor sax comes into the piano sounds of poignant lyricism. The melodies gradually emerge from the quiet sounds, which are genuinely moving. Brandon Lewis, the tenor saxophonist, has attracted attention through his aggressive activities. His background in gospel music makes him ideally suited to this type of reverent performance.
Although Guidi said he learned about this song from a Spanish bassist, all the members must have performed it with the same wish for peace. Among the other Guidi originals on the album, the lyrical ＜Only Sometimes＞ and ＜Luigi (the boy who lost his name)＞ left strong impressions on me. And the inexpressible beauty of the only standard number, ＜My Funny Valentine!＞ Beginning with abstract trio playing, glimpses of the familiar melody slowly emerge. Many musicians have taken up ＜My Funny Valentine＞ in their favorite repertoire, but this performance stands out for its pure romanticism. This piece seems to encapsulate Giovanni Guidi’s increasingly aesthetic style.
#270 Joan Baez’s Heartwarming Christmas Album
NOEL / Joan Baez
(Vanguard VMD79596)
Folk singer Joan Baez, who once dominated the world of folk music, recorded a Christmas album in 1966, including ＜SONG OF THE BIRDS＞ under the title of “Carol of the Birds.” With her warm and clear voice, Joan Baez has charmed many people with traditional folk ballads such as ＜Donna Donna,＞ ＜The House Of The Rising Sun,＞ and ＜All My Trials.＞
At the same time, for her, who never wavered in her anti-discrimination and anti-war stance, the song must have been a special piece. Of course, the album also includes many well-known Christmas songs such as ＜O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,＞ ＜Silent Night,＞ and ＜First Noel.＞ Listening to these Christmas songs sung in her heartfelt voice is so special. Although Joan Baez announced her retirement after releasing a new album in 2018, she is still going strong at age 83.
About the Author
Masamichi Okazaki
Surrounded by various kinds of music from his childhood, Masamichi Okazaki joined Waseda University Modern Jazz Club. He started contributing articles to music magazines when he was a student. He covers wide range of music not only trad, modern and contemporary jazz, but also from pops to classics. He writes liner notes for CDs and LPs, and is a regular contributor to “JAZZ JAPAN,” “STEREO,” and others. He joined a big band, “Shiny Stockings,” as a saxophone player. He is a director of The Music Pen Club Japan (MPCJ).
