d'INDY
(Vincent d'Indy: born in Paris, March 27, 1852; now living there)
ORCHESTRAL LEGEND, "THE ENCHANTED FOREST": Op. 8
This work, which the composer calls a Legende-symphonie, is based on a ballad by Uhland entitled "Harald." It was composed in 1878. On a fly-leaf of the score is printed, in French, this paraphrase of Uhland's ballad:
"Harald, the brave hero, rides at the head of his warriors. They go by the light of the moon through the wild forest, singing many a song of war.
"Who rustle in ambush in the thickets? Who come down from the clouds and start from the torrent's foam? Who murmur in such harmonious tones and give such sweet kisses? Who hold the knights in such voluptuous embrace? The nimble troop of Elves; resistance is in vain. The warriors have gone away, gone to Elfland.
"He alone has remained—Harald, the hero, the brave Harald; he goes on by the light of the moon through the wild forest.
"A clear spring bubbles at the foot of a rock; scarcely has Harald drunk of the magic water than a strong sleep overpowers his whole being; he falls asleep on the black rocks.
"Seated on this same rock, he has slept for many centuries—and for many centuries, by the moonlight, the elves have circled slowly round about Harald, the old hero."[67]