Le charme
For SSA, SA, or TTB with piano
Sheet Music
Purchase Sheet Music by Contacting Zachary Moore. Available for TTB or SSA with piano.
Le charme
When your smile caught me unawares,
I felt my whole being shiver;
but what was taming my spirit,
I did not at first know.
When your gaze fell on me,
I felt my soul melt;
but what this emotion was
I could not at first tell.
That which conquered me forever
was a more sorrowful charm,
and I only knew that I loved you
upon seeing your first tear!
Armand Silvestre
Translated by Christopher Goldsack
Composer Notes:
When this composition was written, it was to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Olympia Youth Chorus. While looking for a poem to use, I thought of the longevity of the Olympia Youth Chorus and how many students’ lives must have been impacted as a result.
For many reasons, one’s life can be impacted by a choir. When I think of my first meaningful experience in a choir, I think of being in my high school choir. I think of the friendships made, the music we sang, the directors who changed our lives, and the goosebumps created from many musical moments. The opening lines of this poem capture how I felt the first time I fell in love with music. In many ways, the experience was completely unexpected. One moment I was singing, and the next I was bawling my eyes out. Ever since my spirit has been tamed by the power of music. I have always aspired to give others a musical moment like I experienced when I first found music. Being in a choir is a special thing and when one opens their heart, it can be one of the truest loves anyone can experience.
- Zachary J. Moore
