MovieChat Forums > Emma (1997) Discussion > Jane Fairfax - piano piece

Jane Fairfax - piano piece


In the scene where Jane played a 'new irish tune' on her piano forte. It sounded beautiful. Can anyone help me? I would love to know the name of this piece so that I may be able to buy it if possible. Help would really help! Thanks xxx

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In the book Frank names the piece as "Robin Adair", but I don't know if that is what they actually had her play - will have to watch it again.
(Actually if you google Robin Adair it appears to be a Scottish air rather than Irish but go figure)

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Frank sings with Jane what I believe (though I'm not sure) to be a Scottish air or folk song, after he has sung with Emma. Do you suppose that could be Robin Adair?

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No, it's not Robin Adair. :-)

Frank and Jane sing "Over the Hills and Far Away." This is a traditional English folk song. You can read more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_Hills_and_Far_Away_%28traditional%29

Frank and Jane sing a variation of the John Gay lyrics found at the link above.

FRANK:
Were I laid on Greenland's coast,
And in my arms embrac'd my lass;
Warm amidst eternal frost,
Too soon the half year's night would pass.

JANE:
Were I sold on Indian soil,
Soon as the burning day was clos'd,
I could mock the sultry toil
When on my charmer's breast repos'd

FRANK: And I would love you all the day.
JANE: Ev'ry night would kiss and play,
FRANK: If with me you'd fondly stray
FRANK & JANE: Over the hills and far away.

Here is a link with lyrics and an audio clip for Robin Adair:
http://www.guitarnut.com/folktablature/the101bestsongs/robinadair.html

The Irish tune Jane plays is called, "The Dawning of the Day." (See my post below.)

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Thank you SO much, randommovies. I do know of John Gay's Beggar's Opera, but have never yet had a chance to listen to it in its entirety. Thank you for both links. We're still having trouble with that beautiful Italian piece Jane sings alone at an earlier occasion - I forget at whose house (it's been some time since I've last seen it and I don't own it in any form!). If only I can remember the first line at least it would be of some use. The last words appear to be something like '...non spera da me' (do please forgive my mistakes).


'...the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.'

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Do you mean the Italian song Jane sings in the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma? (Doesn't the Jane in this version sing a German song?)

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No, this version. I know she sings that German piece that begins 'Schlaff...' (something similar :) ) whilst Frank speaks to Emma at the same occasion as those duets. The Italian aria is from an earlier moment. Sorry I can't place it more specifically - as I said, it's been some time!


'...the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.'

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Okay, thank you. Time for me to watch it again! :-)

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Interesting that the filmmakers chose this particular song and these particular lyrics for Frank and Jane to sing together. They even have the pair exchange alternating quatrains of verse, which is reminiscent of Polly and Macheath in The Beggar's Opera. It's also interesting to note an obvious parallel between Macheath/Polly and Frank/Jane: Polly is secretly married to Macheath and Jane is secretly engaged to Frank!

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Very clever...! Frank and Jane must have, for once at least, enjoyed the private joke between themselves, rather than poor Jane being the brunt of them from Frank and Emma...


'...the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.'

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Excellent point! I love it!

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We're still having trouble with that beautiful Italian piece Jane sings alone

Booklover181 identified the piece. You can read about it here
http://imdb.com/title/tt0118308/board/nest/56165209?d=85355671#85355671

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Aha! Thank you! All I could remember was the last line!

'...the natural sequel of an unnatural beginning.'

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Yes, I can help you!

The tune is a traditional Irish air called "The Dawning of the Day." You can hear a decent midi file at the following link:
http://www.ireland-information.com/irishmusic/thedawningoftheday.shtml

You might also be interested in reading this information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Raglan_Road





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