Josep Carreras/Lluis Llach: "El cant dels ocells" (The Song of the Birds)

Two great Catalan musicians, singer-songwriter Lluis Llach and tenor Josep (José) Carreras, sing one of the most famous tunes of their country: "El cant dels ocells" (The Song of the Birds). The legendary cellist Pau Casals made it a symbol of peace and freedom all over the world, as Josep Carreras explains:
"Els catalans tenim l'honor de posseir en el nostre patrimoni musical un dels símbols universals de la pau. Per medi d'en Pau Casals, "El cant dels ocells" és per tot el món una referència musical casi unica. Per tots vosaltres - i per la pau - cantarem El cant dels ocells."
"We Catalans have the honour of holding in our musical legacy a universal symbol of peace. Pau Casals has made "El cant dels ocells" an almost unique musical reference all over the world. For all of you, and for peace, we are now going to sing El cant dels ocells".
PLEASE NOTE: This video is no platform for political messages and insults of any kind! Disrespectful comments will not be accepted.
Live performance at Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona - 29. December 2002
Orquestra Simfònica Europea Mediterrània
Cor Madrigal
Director d'Orquestra: Enrique Ricci
Lletra / Lyrics:
Al veure despuntar
el major lluminar
en la Nit més hermosa,
els ocellets cantant
a festejar-lo van
amb sa veu melindrosa.
A l'alba partiran
Mediterrània enllà
amb ales amoroses
els ocellets cantant
el seu consol duran
als infants orfes de Bòsnia.
Al veure despuntar
el major lluminar
en la Nit més joiosa,
els ocellets cantant
a festejar-lo van
amb sa veu melindrosa.
L'ocell rei de l'espai
va pels aires volant
cantant amb melodia,
dient: Jesús és nat,
per treure'ns del pecat
i dar-nos alegria.
When they see rising
the brightest light
from the most beautiful night,
the little birds singing
go to serenade it
with their delicate voices.
At dawn they will leave
flying over the Mediterranean
on wings of love.
The little birds will singing
take their consolation
to Bosnia's little orphans.
When they see rising
the brightest light
from the most joyous night,
the little birds singing
go to serenade it
with their delicate voices.
The bird, the king of space,
goes flying through the skies
singing with melody,
saying: Jesus is born
to draw us out of sin
and bring us joy.

[@keithglazzard8900]

I'll be back in Catalunya in a few weeks for a few months and this made me really 'homesick'. I just love those people. The bird I use on my icon is, in English sorry, the garganey. It is the symbol of El Parc Natural de Aiguamolls de l'Emporda, Girona, and the photo was taken there. Song of the birds, indeed.

[@PilarRodriguezralip]

Sentin aquesta cançó m'he esborrono, es fantàstica no oblidarem mai a Pau Casals el català més internacional i que s'omplia de joia parlant de Catalunya.

[@alfredpastrana]

No tinc paraules per explicar el que sento quan escolto aquesta cançó i especialmente quan aquets dos Mestres de la música la interpretan posan tot el cor... gràcies companys per aquest meravellos regal...gràcies.

[@sinimuori]

This is the most sensitive performance of the song I found in KZbin. It vibrates in me. Great thanks to Josep Carreras and Lluis Llach!

[@marianorden1008]

sense paraules...m'emociona sempre que l'escolto

[@mariadelsangelscolominaqui8370]

Maravellosa combinació de dues veus importants i cantant una preciosa cançó catalana!

[@dsnerineri2151]

I first heard this beautiful song sung by Joan Baez, then by Montserrat Caballe and now this one. Each is different and each is wonderful. But only this one has the words translated into English. Thank you so much for posting.

[@cacciatorebarbarella]

So wonderful to find this, obviously dedicated to Pao Casals, the worlds' great 'cellist, a fellow Catalan and human rights activist who gave so much of himself.

[@moutondany8041]

Quel magnifique chant et hymne à la paix et à la liberté créé par Pau Casals ! Merci à lui et gardons l'espoir.........que ça devienne une réalité !

[@OthmarLeib]

ein ganz Großer unter den Poeten und Musikern! - Danke Paul!

[@joanarevillaponce2587]

Quina meravella !!!! Tant de bo, la Pau sigui una realitat.

[@C1r5a19]

@pipsprof I'm not Bravocarreras, but if I may reply to your question nevertheless :-) The solo version by Carreras is on a CD called "José Carreras sings Catalan Songs", originally released by Sony in 1990 - it's still available on amazon.com, for instance. The recording with Carreras and Llach is on the album "Junts", a live recording of their joint concert in Barcelona, 29 dec 2002. Hope that helps :-)

[@Rosangela161]

Wonderful! Thanks.

[@C1r5a19]

@pipsprof I've seen it any here and there in record shops in Barcelona, but it seems to be no longer available online. The best advice I can give you is to keep an eye on ebay.... Good luck for your search, it's worth it ;-)

[@675499]

Pela Paz e Desenvolvimento temos que permanecer unidos.

[@joanagrego2770]

❤❤❤

[@C1r5a19]

@hashubarca Thank you very much for your comment, hashubarca. Your words are very touching. This concert took place shortly before Bush started the war against your country. Both Josep Carreras and Lluis Llach were strongly advocating a peaceful solution. This song, and the whole concert, was a clear statement of their position. All the best to you and your country, and peace to the whole word - violence is NEVER a solution!

[@muana13]

Que maravilha !!!

[@narcistr6003]

Joana, gaudeix de la musica, la resta es una il.lusio

[@hashubarca]

this song is Amazing . thanx for transelate the lyrics to English . I know some words in Catalan coz I spent more than 5 months in BCN . any way my friend peace to all the world . Im Iraqi and I really know what war means . for that reason I wish and hope that peace will be in allover the world without any exeption Salut i Forca el Canut :D

[@pipsprof]

Hi Bravocarreras...where did you get the CD? I have been trying to buy it but it is not available anywhere....thanks

[@pipsprof]

It's the CD Junts which I am trying to find but with no luck! Thanks for your help though.

[@Shein69]

Es preciosa aquesta cançó, la meva avia sempre em demana que li posi :)

[@gheeah]

so beautifully sung, by both...

[@juanjoseperezgarcia9501]

no se puede esperar con palabras