384

384

RACHMANINOFF : Op. 18, Moderato

First, only Klaviernotes—

Shades out of a depth of silent water:

Gold! Black.

Blue! Black.

Crimson! Black.

Gold/blue/brown/grey! B-b-l- Lack!

Cascade! -ade -ade -ade -!

YVIBYVROYRGIBB IGBIGBBIYVIBBIVO

Strings! Magma!

ROYGBIVROGYVBI YGBVYGBIVRIVRO GYVIBBIYVIBBIVRG BIVRROYGBIVRVR

Staggering higher—murmering—

Light and steam—

Mount, burgeoning lighthead!—

Split! Smelt! Ah! Crescendo—ah!

Gentle fall of burnt paper. The umbrella,

Shading us from the stark

Lamplight, is singed. A flame still plays

At the hem. Dovecalls from the trees.

Now the horns begin.

Grandfather in a suede waiscoat

Plays Joplin in a green spotlight.

He has taken his shoes off, ma foi!

Great gold antlers adorn his temples.

The colourwheel spins. The daywheel spins.

Moonshine. Loveshine.

We have our hats and coats on,

And are ready to leave, but mother is still

Upstairs in the master bedroom, fast asleep.

My sister goes back out into the garden.

It is night again.

That is how the piano concerto begins.