Love Songs, six songs for soprano and symphony orchestra to words by Małgorzata Hillar (1960–1961)
The work was commissioned by the Committee for Commissions, Purchases of Works of Art and Art Scholarships at the Ministry of Culture and Art. The songs – dedicated to Stefania Woytowicz – were premiered by her. The composer used Małgorzata Hillar’s poems (A Request to Thyme. Erotic Poems) and wrote a lyrical story of a girl longing for her beloved. The music has some special sound qualities, thanks to Baid’s masterful use of the orchestra, and is created by means of the twelve-note technique (the sound material is structured entirely by four series). The form of each song stems from the structure of its literary original.
Song I. Other lips (Andante)
The song is a dialogue between the alto flute and the soprano, separated by purely instrumental fragments. The whole – based on the first two twelve-note rows and on material not associated with the series – is very delicate, static and mysterious.
Song II. A moment (Andante, improvisando)
This part is dominated by a soprano-guitar duet, while the remaining instruments (harpsichord, vibraphone, celesta, guitar, harp, piano, percussion) come in only in its climax. The sound material is based on the first and the third series as well as on non-serial structures. In its arch structure as well as static nature with an undertone of anxiety, the movement refers to the first song.
Song III. A night without you (Allegro appasionato)
In addition to the soprano, the dominant element is a disturbing sound of the alto saxophone. The ordering of notes draws on the second series, but its primary feature is the use of short melodic motifs. The playing of the string quintet with a solo alto saxophone part – resolute in its sound and rhythmic progression – makes the song very energetic.
Song IV. Memory of your hands (Andante agitato, ardente)
In this song we find the first and the second series. The restless atmosphere from the previous song is continued, first of all, by means of the colour of two dominant instruments (piano and saxophone) as we as their vigorous demisemiquaver runs.
Song V. Red clasp (Lento, espressivo)
The composer uses here the full orchestral line-up in chamber-scale settings. It constructs a delicate but constantly disturbing narrative.
Song VI. A request to thyme (Andante)
When it comes to the colour, the song is shaped by the string quintet, a group of five instruments (vibraphone, guitar, harp, piano, harpsichord) and the gong.
What makes the Love Songs distinctive are the sophisticated sounds of instrumental groups as well as selectively applied dodecaphonic technique. In 1962 the composition won Baird the Award of the Minister of Culture, 2nd class.
Baird’s work has some ballet versions as well: Erotica, choreographed by Maurice Béjart (Brussels 1965, Warsaw 1966); Hyo Takahashi (
