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Frederick Delius 1862 -1964. Sea Drift composed in 1903. uses the poem by Walt Whitman (1819-1892) which begins:- 'Out of the cradle endlessly rocking'. Delius set the middle section to music, it is a reminiscence concerning two birds the speaker saw when a boy, how they kept together until one failed to return and how the other mourned. The choice of text is so right for Delius, love, loss and the transience of life, all are represented in this profound and sensitive poem by a great American poet. The Delius/Whitman combination of music and words are both magical and poignant in this absolute masterpiece performed and arranged by the master of all things Delian: Sir Thomas Beecham. The images of seagulls happy together are contrasted by the deep feelings of loss and yearning when one does not return to the nest. It is a universally understood anguish that of the feelings of loss, symbolized by those two nesting Kittiwakes. The observer identifies with nature and reflects upon a not dissimilar personal condition and so then also becomes part of the the scene. On this vinyl album recorded 1959 :- (CBS Classics 61224) The Royal philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham. Bruce Boyce - Baritone. BBC Chorus under Leslie Woodgate. N.B. Apologies also for any unintended infringement of copyright. This video has not been made for any element of personal profit or gain.
