Labyrinthe

for string quartet

July 2024

Duration: c. 5 mins


read by the New Fromm string quartet, July 12, 2024

Program note:

Labyrinthe explores attraction and searching; an attraction without progression; a journey without destination; a searching without finding. Labyrinthe explores a deep confinement of thought. Labyrinthe is inspired by a poem of the same name by Francis Picabia, found in his poetry collection, Poèmes et Dessins de la Fille Née Sans Mère.

La volonté attend sans cesse

Un désir sans trouver.

Une cicatrice vers la nuit

profane la réflexion.

Il n’y a que détachement

incrédule.

On me fait souffrir

parce que je sais l’indifférence

Banalités embarquées sans cesse

sur elles-mêmes:

Les horizons attirent les yeux

de nos sentiments

The will is constantly waiting

A desire without finding

A scar to the night

profanes the reflection.

There is only detachment

incredulous.

They made me suffer

because I know indifference.

Banalities set constantly at sail

upon each other.

The horizons attract the eyes

of our sentiments.