This poem/choral work tells the story of a heartbroken Pan (the Greek god) who was unable to secure the affection of Syrinx. “The soul of a flute” refers to Syrinx who, in the myth, was transformed into river reeds and then fashioned into the eponymous pan flute.

The narrative is as follows:

In the first stanza, Pan (represented by a countertenor soloist) finds melancholic comfort in listening to the sounds of sighing reeds (Syrinx, who is personified by a soprano solo in the intro to the piece).

In the next, Pan (tenor soloist) sees illusions of Syrinx haloed by the silvery light of the moon (Selene, who is known for her nighttime trysts) - an auspice of love.

Pan then encounters a trio of forest nymphs and sees the Evening Star (Venus, the goddess of love and desire) reflected in the glittering water of springs - a second auspice of love.

Finally, he pleads with the three nymphs not to squander their chance at love; to seize their opportunity to be with those who love them, lest the chance slip away as it did for him.

Arpège, by Albert Samain

L'âme d'une flûte soupire
Au fond du parc mélodieux ;
Limpide est l'ombre où l'on respire
Ton poème silencieux,

Nuit de langueur, nuit de mensonge,
Qui poses, d'un geste ondoyant
Dans ta chevelure de songe,
La lune, bijou d'Orient.

Sylva, Sylvie et Sylvanire,
Belles au regard bleu changeant,
(L'étoile aux fontaines se mire),
Allez par les sentiers d'argent,

Allez vite, l'heure est si brève,
Cueillir au jardin des aveux
Les coeurs qui se meurent du rêve
De mourir parmi vos cheveux…

Arpeggio, translation by Ari Messenger

The soul of a flute sighs
From deep within the melodious woods;
Limpid is the shadow where one breathes
Your quiet poem,

Night of languor, night of lies,
That places, with an undulating gesture
Into your tresses of dreamlike hair,
The moon, jewel of the East.

Sylva, Sylvie and Sylvanire,
Fair ones of fickle blue glances,
(The star is mirrored in the springs),
Go by silvery paths,

Go quickly, time is quite short,
To gather in the garden of avowals
The hearts that are dying of the dream
Of dying amidst your hair…