Translating Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry, especially within the context of Morten Lauridsen’s “Les Chansons des Roses,” presents unique challenges. Rilke’s polyphonic voice, with its layers of meaning and nuance, demands careful consideration. This journey through the five poems reveals the complexities of bringing Rilke’s French roses to an English-speaking audience.
Initially, this project began with the simple goal of making Rilke’s poetry, as set to music by Lauridsen, accessible to a wider audience. However, the intricacies of Rilke’s work soon became apparent. The process of translating the poems in their numerical order revealed a learning curve, with the earlier translations presenting more difficulties than the later ones.
The third and fourth poems proved to be the most satisfying translations. The fourth poem, in particular, holds a special resonance, both in its original French and in its translated form. While all five poems offer unique insights into Rilke’s world, the fifth presents a distinct challenge.
This final poem, with its enigmatic imagery of concentric circles formed by moving petals, invites multiple interpretations. One reading suggests the formation of a vortex, a recurring motif in Rilke’s German poetry collection, “New Poems.” This vortex, in turn, generates a reflection of the rose, illuminating it in a transcendent light. This image evokes a sense of unity between the rose and its reflection, achieving a harmony that eluded Narcissus.
Alternative interpretations exist, including the possibility of a lover’s quarrel veiled in sarcasm. However, this perspective seems less likely given Rilke’s characteristic gentleness. It remains a fascinating question whether Rilke himself would have anticipated Lauridsen’s choice to make this enigmatic poem the grand finale of his song cycle.
While Morten Lauridsen may reside near Los Angeles, those of us in Washington state, both east and west, feel a connection to him, acknowledging his birth in Colfax and his residence in the San Juan Islands.
This translation journey underscores the complexities inherent in conveying the depth and beauty of Rilke’s poetry, particularly when intertwined with Lauridsen’s musical interpretation. The experience illuminates not only the challenges but also the profound rewards of engaging with such rich and evocative work.