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.
Prelude
Jordi Savall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ô nuit ! Redouble des ténèbres,
Délivre mes regards des horreurs que je vois :
L’ombre de mon ami s’élève contre moi,
Je vois couler ses pleurs, j’entends ses cris funèbres.
Hélas ! Mon crime est mon plus grande effroi.
Ô nuit ! Redouble tes ténèbres,
Délivre mes regards des horreurs que je vois :
The lyrics of Jordi Savall's song Prelude in 2-3 re-tell a story from Greek mythology - the story of Pelée and his friend Achilles. In these particular lines, the singer (who could be either Pelée or Achilles) is addressing the night, asking it to bring even more darkness to hide the terrible sights that they cannot bear to see. The singer describes the ghost of their friend rising up to confront them, with tears flowing and mournful cries echoing. The singer is haunted by their own guilt, describing how it is their greatest fear.
The song is telling a story of deep grief, regret, and sorrow. It is a reminder of the tragic consequences that can come from rash actions and human fallibility. The use of the night as a symbol of darkness and mystery adds a layer of despair and uncertainty to the poem. Overall, this short section of the song emphasizes the emotional intensity of the characters' experience, as well as the weighty consequences of their actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ô nuit ! Redouble des ténèbres,
Oh, night! Increase the darkness, intensify the obscurity.
Délivre mes regards des horreurs que je vois :
Release my gaze from the horrors that I witness:
L’ombre de mon ami s’élève contre moi,
The shadow of my friend rises up against me,
Je vois couler ses pleurs, j’entends ses cris funèbres.
I see his tears flowing, I hear his mournful cries.
Hélas ! Mon crime est mon plus grande effroi.
Alas! My crime is my greatest terror.
Ô nuit ! Redouble tes ténèbres,
Oh, night! Increase your darkness,
Délivre mes regards des horreurs que je vois :
Release my gaze from the horrors that I witness:
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Marin Marais
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind