cantar e amar is a song, a tribute in memory of Alexandra Montano (1961-2007), singer (mezzo-soprano) and friend who premiered and performed some of my works. I met Alexandra in New York in the late 1990's where she was very much a part of the new music scene, a sought after singer. Besides singing, she also composed and wrote poetry. Before moving to New York, Alexandra lived in Brazil and was fluent in speaking and writing portuguese. The text for this song was written by her, in portuguese, a language she sang always with a touch of “carioca” (brasilian spoken in Rio de Janeiro). Above all Alexandra was a woman, the woman she speaks about in the poem, a woman who sang and loved.

Mulher

Vejo uma pequena chama, mas muito brilhante, no horizonte dentro do meu coração de vidro coberto de gelo. Vejo uma mulher de cabelo selvagem que ilumina a minha noite, os seus pés beijam a terra com cada passo, o seu vestido transparente é o companheiro dos ventos, ela chama-me com os seus olhos de fogo e com sua voz de madeira curtida pelas ondas e lágrimas. A lua faz brilhar a sua pele, e o seu peito de frutos maduros oferece vida e descanso, protecção e coragem, prazer e inspiração. Suas mãos tocam-me suavemente, atravessam o meu corpo para chegar à minha alma. Quando lá chegam, aromas de flores e de mar salgado intoxicam-me até me fazerem cantar e dançar, cantar e amar.

Woman

I see a small flame, but very bright, in the horizon inside my heart of ice covered glass. I see a woman with wild hair that lights my night, her feet kiss the earth at each step, her transparent dress is company to the winds, she calls me with her fiery eyes and her wooden voice cured by the waves and the tears. The moon shines on her skin, her breasts made of ripe fruits offer life and rest, protection and courage, pleasure and inspiration. Her hands touch me softly, they penetrate my body to reach my soul. When they arrive, the aroma of flowers and the salty sea intoxicate me and make me sing and dance, sing and love.

(translation to english by the composer)

(Unpublished. With permission from the author to reprint and set to music.)