Creator: C. P. Cavafy
Κ. Π. Καβάφης
Work Type: Poem
Date: 1903
Description:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem “Voices” delves into the theme of nostalgia and the longing for the past. In the poem, Cavafy reflects on the power of memories and the voices of those who have passed away, which continue to resonate and influence the living. The poem suggests that these voices, though they belong to the past, are vivid and almost alive, haunting the present with their presence. Cavafy masterfully conveys the bittersweet nature of reminiscing, where the joy of remembering is intertwined with the sorrow of loss.
Cavafy’s language and imagery evoke a profound sense of yearning and the enduring impact of past experiences and relationships on the present. The poem highlights Cavafy’s recurring themes of time, memory, and the human condition, illustrating how the past continues to shape and define the present. This reflection on the persistence of memory and the voices of the past is central to understanding Cavafy’s broader poetic vision.
1. “Voices by C.P. Cavafy,” Onassis Foundation. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.onassis.org/initiatives/cavafy-archive/the-canon/voices.
2. “Voices by Constantine P. Cavafy,” PoetrySoup. Accessed June 30, 2024. https://www.poetrysoup.com/famous/poem/voices_759.
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
C.P. Cavafy’s poem Voices and its adaptation in Yorgos Sicilianos’s Six Fantastic Pieces both explore the theme of human loneliness through the lens of memory and nostalgia. In Voices, Cavafy reflects on the lingering presence of past voices that haunt and comfort the lonely individual, creating a dialogue with the memories of people who are no longer present. Sicilianos captures this essence in his orchestral composition, translating the poem’s emotional depth into music that evokes the haunting and nostalgic quality of remembered voices. The connection between the two works lies in their shared exploration of how the echoes of the past shape and influence the present, serving as a poignant commentary on the enduring impact of memory on human solitude.
See: Sicilianos Archive Files #4 in Six Fantastic Pieces.
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1 |
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YSC97 |
Six Fantastic Pieces |
after six poems by C. P. Cavafy |
54 |
3333-4331, Harp, Timpani, Celesta, Percussion (Xylophone, Snare Drum, Piccolo Snare, Bass Drum, Cymbals, Tam-Tam), Strings |
3. Voices |