Savall's musical training started in the school choir of his native town (1947-55). He later completed his training at the Barcelona Conservatory of Music (1959-65). Afterward, he began his specialisation in early music at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Basel, Switzerland (1968-70).
In 1974 he formed the ensemble Hespèrion XX (since 2000 as Hespèrion XXI), together with the soprano Montserrat Figueras (his wife), Lorenzo Alpert and Hopkinson Smith. Hespèrion XX favored a style of interpretation characterised by great musical vitality and at the same time, maximum historical accuracy.
In 1987 he returned to Barcelona to found La Capella Reial de Catalunya, a vocal ensemble devoted to the interpretation of music prior to the 18th century.
Finally, in 1989 Savall created Le Concert des Nations, an orchestra that is generally dedicated to the baroque repertoire, but which sometimes also serves as an outlet for music that hails from the classical/romantic repertoire (e.g. Sinfonia a Gran Orquesta by Juan Crisótomo de Arriga).
Savall's discography includes more than 140 recordings. Since 1998 he has released his records with his own label, Alia Vox.
Jordi Savall is also a two-time Grammy nominee, who scored the 1991 Alain Corneau film, Tous les matins du monde (also awarded the César of the French film industry in 1992). The soundtrack, re-released on his own Alia Vox label, has sold more than a million copies worldwide.
Les Pleurs
Jordi Savall Lyrics
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Quoi, les soupirs et les pleurs d’Alcione
Ne pourront-ils vous arrêter ? Vous partez !
CEIX
L’Amour me l’ordonne.
ALCIONE
CEIX
Je tremble pour vos jours, et mon unique envie
Est d’écarter les malheurs qu’on m’a fait redouter.
ALCIONE
Hélas ! Vous tremblez, pour ma vie,
Et par votre départ vous me l’allez ôter.
Mon cœur à chaque instant vous croira la victime
Des flots et des vents en courroux.
Je connais l’ardeur qui m’anime ;
Je mourrai des dangers que je craindrai pour vous.
CEIX
Ah ! Plus dans cet amour mon cœur trouve de charmes,
Et plus je sens pour vous redoubler mes frayeurs :
Laissez-moi sur vos jours dissiper mes alarmes,
Et ne craignez pour moi que vos propres malheurs.
ALCIONE
Consentez donc que je vous suive,
Si je cesse de voir l’objet de mon amour,
Comment voulez-vous que je vive ?
CEIX
Vivez avec l’espoir d’un doux et prompt retour.
In Jordi Savall's song "Les pleurs" from the opera Alcione, the lyrics portray a conversation between two characters, Alcione and Ceix. Alcione is expressing her sadness and disbelief at the fact that Ceix is leaving her, despite their love for each other. She questions why his love for her would lead him to abandon her. Ceix responds by saying that he fears for Alcione's safety and his only desire is to protect her from the hardships and dangers that he anticipates. Alcione laments the fact that Ceix is worrying about her well-being, but through his departure, he is actually taking away her life. She professes her deep love and willingness to face any dangers that may come her way because of her devotion to Ceix. He reveals that his love for her only intensifies his fears, and he pleads with her to let him help alleviate her worries. He assures her that she should only worry about her own happiness and not let his departure affect her.
The lyrics of "Les pleurs" reflect a complex emotional dynamic between Alcione and Ceix. Alcione is torn between her love for Ceix and her fear of losing him. She is willing to endure any dangers and hardships if it means staying by his side. Ceix, on the other hand, is driven by his love for Alcione and his desire to protect her, even if it means leaving her temporarily. The lyrics suggest a struggle between love and responsibility, as both characters grapple with their own fears and desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Quoi, les soupirs et les pleurs d’Alcione
What, can the sighs and tears of Alcione
Ne pourront-ils vous arrêter ? Vous partez !
Not stop you? You are leaving!
L’Amour me l’ordonne.
Love commands it.
Quoi! Vous m’aimez et vous m’allez quitter ?
What! You love me and you are going to leave me?
Je tremble pour vos jours, et mon unique envie
I tremble for your life, and my only desire
Est d’écarter les malheurs qu’on m’a fait redouter.
Is to ward off the misfortunes that I have feared.
Hélas ! Vous tremblez, pour ma vie,
Alas! You tremble for my life,
Et par votre départ vous me l’allez ôter.
And by your departure you are going to take it away.
Mon cœur à chaque instant vous croira la victime
My heart will constantly see you as the victim
Des flots et des vents en courroux.
Of angry waves and winds.
Je connais l’ardeur qui m’anime ;
I know the ardor that animates me;
Je mourrai des dangers que je craindrai pour vous.
I will die from the dangers that I will fear for you.
Ah ! Plus dans cet amour mon cœur trouve de charmes,
Ah! The more charms my heart finds in this love,
Et plus je sens pour vous redoubler mes frayeurs :
The more I feel my fears double for you:
Laissez-moi sur vos jours dissiper mes alarmes,
Let me dispel my alarms over your life,
Et ne craignez pour moi que vos propres malheurs.
And fear for me only your own misfortunes.
Consentez donc que je vous suive,
So consent to let me follow you,
Si je cesse de voir l’objet de mon amour,
If I stop seeing the object of my love,
Comment voulez-vous que je vive ?
How do you want me to live?
Vivez avec l’espoir d’un doux et prompt retour.
Live with the hope of a sweet and prompt return.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marin Marais
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind