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Remember, children: real culture before pop culture
I went with my parents to Amadeus, a lovely restaurant specializing in eastern and central European food. Like many restaurants in Europe, it is a small place and is served by only one waiter. The decor is somehow old-fashioned enough to seem authentic and they have cans and glasses instead of fountain drinks. It's a very nice, familiar atmosphere.
My family quite enjoyed our potato schnitzel, pierogi and salads while listening to the live piano music. I recognized a few pieces and went on with my meal, then heard what I have now been able to identify as Chopin's Étude #3 op. 10 en mi majeur.
At the time, though, I had no idea who had written it and recognized it only as the tune of Serge Gainsbourg's Lemon Incest. I couldn't understand why the pianist would have chosen that particular song - except that maybe he thought that no one else would know it and lose their appetite thinking of the disturbing way Serge and his warbling daughter Charlotte sing about how much they love each other.
But no, the pianist was quite innocently playing Chopin and I'm the one with the dirty mind. I wish I'd heard Chopin's original first, because it's really quite pretty and I hope I won't always have to connect it with the first version I heard:
L'amour que nous n'f'rons jamais ensemble
Est le plus beau le plus violent
Le plus pur le plus enivrant
Exquise esquisse
Délicieuse enfant
Ma chair et mon sang
Oh mon bébé mon âme
I love you, Serge. But seriously.
srah - Sunday, 14 September 2003 - 3:48 PM
Tags: french, music, quote
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Comments (10)
richard - September 15, 2003 - 3:22 PM - ℓ
I feel so left out. I don't know French.
I don't know French Stewart.
I don't know Frenchie from "American Idol"
and I don't know Mr. French from "Family Affair"
(but I'll use the free translation page later, depending on how atrocious it is, I may even find out what people are saying.)
srah - September 15, 2003 - 6:23 PM - ℓ
Arlequin said, "Finally, someone who understands the power of Serge's words."
I replied, "Power? I don't know about that. Power to make me lose my appetite. Otherwise, I like him a lot. I like other songs."
Hooray for srah translating and freeing her visitors from the burden of looking things up. Love me, please love me.
Oh, I am SO with you on this one.