PROGRAM NOTES by Karin Berg
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) was born to a wealthy family in Hamburg, Germany. Surround- ed by literature, culture, and music, young Felix seemed destined to make a contribution to the world of the arts. By the time he was 12 years old, Mendelssohn had studied with some of Ger- many’s most renowned pedagogues and played several public concerts. Years later, he began his career as a conductor. Mendelssohn is best known for his orchestral works, including Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as his solo piano works, such as Songs Without Words. However, Mendelssohn also wrote quite a few lieder. In 1834, Mendelssohn started composing the songs that would eventually be a part of Sechs Gesänge (Six Songs), Op. 34, one of several song collections. He finished Sechs Gesänge in 1837 and dedicated it to Julie Jeanrenaud, his sister-in-law.
Heinrich Heine (1797-1856) was a German poet and author whose work sparked the transition between the German Romantic movement and the post-Romantic era. Written out of his father’s will, Heine reluctantly went to school to study law but made literature his main focus. In Ger- many, Heine is best known for his early Romantic-style poetry, much of which has been set to music. “Auf Flügeln des Gesanges” and “Reiselied” appear in Heine’s 1827 Buch der Lieder (Book of Songs). Throughout his life, Heine faced several hardships. As a German Jew, it was difficult for him to find a steady job. Following the July Revolution of 1830, he left Germany to live in France. His later works criticized Romanticism, the German government, and German society. By 1835, all of Heine’s work was banned from Germany. In 1844, he was left destitute by the death of his uncle, and would become bedridden himself a few years after. Even though Heine’s poems include classic Romantic themes and images, they are distinguished by an under- lying disbelief in the notions of Romanticism.
Carl Klingemann (1798-1862) was a diplomat by occupation, an amateur musician and poet, and one of Felix Mendelssohn’s closest friends. Klingemann and Mendelssohn met in Berlin when Mendelssohn was a teenager. Later, when Klingemann’s diplomatic career moved him to Great Britain, he helped introduce Mendelssohn to British society at one of his concert tours. In 1829, the two traveled to Scotland. Mendelssohn set much of his lieder to Klingemann’s poetry. “Frühlingslied” and “Sonntagslied” are just a couple of examples.
Marianne von Willemer (née Jung) (1784-1860) was raised in a theater troupe. She became the ward of her benefactor, and the two of them married in 1814. Earlier that year, the couple visited revered poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in Wiesbaden, and Goethe and Willemer started an affair. Goethe visited Willemer throughout 1814 and 1815, and they continued to write letters to one another until Goethe’s death in 1832. Much of Willemer’s poems appeared in Goethe’s poet- ry books and were attributed to him before she revealed that she’d written them herself. TRANSLATIONS
1. Minnelied Love Song Text: Anonymous, from old German Translation by Karin Berg
Leucht’t heller als die Sonne, Shine brighter than the sun, ihr beiden Äugelein! both of you, little eyes! Bei dir ist Freud’ und Wonne, Joy and bliss are with you, du zartes Jungfräulein, you tender little virgin, du bist mein Augenschein. you are the glimmer in my eyes. Wär ich bei dir allein, If I were with you alone, kein Lied sollt’ mich anfechten, it wouldn’t do any harm, wollt’ allzeit fröhlich sein! We’d be happy all the time!
Dein Reiz ist aus der Maasen, Your charm is beyond measure, gleich wie der Blumen Art; like the flowers; wenn du gehst auf der Strassen, if you go down the streets, gar oft ich deiner wart, I have been there quite often, ob ich gleich lang muss steh’n whether I stand there im Regen, Sturm und Schnee, in rain, storm, and snow, kein’ Müh’ soll mich verdriessen, no troubles should annoy me, wenn ich dich Herzlieb seh! if I see you, my love!
2. Auf Flügeln des Gesanges On Wings of Song Text by Heinrich Heine Translation by Karin Berg
Auf Flügeln des Gesanges, On wings of song, Herzliebchen, trag ich dich fort, sweetheart, I’ll carry you away, fort nach den Fluren des Ganges, there, in the fields of the Ganges, dort weiss ich den schönsten Ort. I know the most beautiful place.
Dort liegt ein rothblühen der Garten There lies a red, blooming garden im stillen Mondenschein; in silent moonlight, die Lotosblumen erwarten the lotus flowers await ihr trautes Schwesterlein. their dear little sister.
Die Veilchen kichern und kosen, The violets giggle and cuddle, und schau’n nach den Sternen empor; and look to the stars above; heimlich erzählen die Rosen secretly the roses whisper sich duftende Märchen in’s Ohr. fragrant stories in each other’s ears. Es hüpfen herbei und lauschen Hopping up here to listen die frommen, klugen Gazell’n, are gentle, clever gazelles, und in der Ferne rauschen and in the distance rush des heil’gen Stromes Well’n. the sacred streams.
Dort wollen wir niedersinken Let’s sink down there unter dem Palmenbaum, under the palm tree, und Lieb’ und Ruhe trinken and drink of love and rest und träumen seligen Traum. and dream a blissful dream.
3. Frühlingslied Spring Song Text by Carl Klingemann Translation by Karin Berg
Es brechen im schallenden Reigen It breaks in the resounding rondo, die Frühlingsstimmen los, the voices of spring, sie können’s nicht länger verschweigen, they can’t hide anymore, die Wonne ist gar zu gross! their bliss is just too great!
Wohin, sie ahnen es selber kaum, Where, they hardly suspect, es rührt sie ein alter, ein süsser Traum! they’re moved by a sweet dream!
Die Knospen schwellen und glühen The buds swell and glow und drängen sich an das Licht and push themselves to the light und warten in sehnendem Blühen, and wait in longing bloom, dass liebende Hand sie bricht. for a loving hand to break them.
Wohin, sie ahnen es selber kaum, Where, they hardly suspect, es rührt sie ein alter, ein süsser Traum! they’re moved by a sweet dream!
Und Frühlingsgeister, sie steigen And the spring spirits, they rise hinab in der Menschen Brust Right there in the hearts of mankind und regen da drinnen den Reigen and nurture the rondo der ew’gen Jugendlust! of eternal youth and happiness!
Wohin, wir ahnen es selber kaum, Where, we hardly suspect, es rührt uns ein alter, ein süsser Traum! We’re moved by a sweet dream! 4. Suleika Suleika Text by Marianne von Willemer Translation by Karin Berg
Ach, um deine feuchten Schwingen, Ah, your damp wings, West, wie sehr ich dich beneide; Western wind, how much I envy you; denn du kannst ihm Kunde bringen, you can bring him news was ich in der Trennung leide! of my suffering far away!
Die Bewegung deiner Flügel The movement of your wings weckt im Busen stilles Sehnen; awakens silent longings in me; Blumen, Augen, Wald und Hügel Flowers, meadows, forests and hills steh’n bei deinem Hauch in Thränen. Stand by your breath in tears.
Doch dein mildes sanftes Wehen Yet your mild, gentle labor kühlt die wunden Augenlider; Cools my sore eyelids; ach, für Leid müsst ich vergehen, ah, I must give in to sorrow, hofft’ ich nicht zu seh’n ihn wieder. I can never hope to see him again.
Eile denn zu meinem Lieben, Hurry then to my beloved, spreche sanft zu seinem Herzen; speak softly to his heart; doch vermeid ihn zu betrüben but be careful not to worry him und verbirg ihm meine Schmerzen! and hide my pain from him!
Sag’ ihm, aber sag’s bescheiden, Tell him, but tell him softly, seine Liebe sei mein Leben, his love is my life, freudiges Gefühl von beiden joy in both will come to me wird mir seine Nähe geben. because of his presence.
5. Sonntagslied Sunday Song Text by Carl Klingemann Translation by Karin Berg
Ringsam erschallt in Wald und Flur All around in the woods and fields viel fernes Glockenklingen, the distant chiming bells resound, die Winde wehen heimlich nur, the winds blow in secret und leis’ die Vöglein singen. and the little birds softly sing. Und Orgelklang und Chorgesang And an organ and a singing choir erbaulich zieht das Thal entlang. Wake up the entire valley. Wie bin ich so allein im Haus, How alone am I in this house, in weiten stillen Räumen! in hollow, silent rooms! Zum Feste zogen alle aus, Everyone has left for the festival, hier kann ich heimlich träumen. Here, I can secretly dream. Dort jauchzen sie in Lust und Scherz, Out there they rejoice in joy and fun und mir wird weich und weh um’s Herz. And my heart becomes soft and sore.
Horch, was ertönt Schalmeienklang, Hark! Why do the reed pipes sound, was zieht so froh in’s Weite? What rises so gladly in the distance? Zur Kirche wallt mit hellem Sang To church with a bright sound comes ein selig Braut geleite. A blissful bridal procession. Und ich, ich bin so gar allein! And I, I am so very alone! Ach, Einer dürfte bei mir sein! Ah, if only I could have one!
6. Reiselied Travel Song Text by Heinrich Heine Translation by Karin Berg
Der Herbstwind rüttelt die Bäume, The autumn wind rustles the trees, die Nacht ist feucht und kalt; the night is damp and cold; gehüllt im grauen Mantel, wrapped in a grey cloak, reite ich einsam, einsam im Wald. I ride alone, alone in the forest.
Und wie ich reite, so reiten And as I ride, so ride nur die Gedanken voraus: My thoughts onward: sie tragen mich leicht und luftig they carry me, light and breezy, nach meiner Liebstenhaus. to my beloved’s house.
Die Hunde bellen, die Diener The dogs bark, the servants erscheinen mit Kerzengeflirr; appear with flickering candles; die Wendeltreppe stürm’ ich I storm up the winding staircase hinauf mit Sporengeklirr. With clattering spurs.
Im leuchtenden Teppichgemache, In shiny homemade fabrics, da ist es so duftig und warm, It’s so fragrant and warm there, da harret meiner die Holde, There waits my fair one, ich fliege in ihren Arm! I fly into her arms!
Es säuselt der Wind in den Blättern, The wind whispers in the leaves, es spricht der Eichenbaum: The oak tree tells me: Was willst du, thörigter Reiter, What do you want, foolish rider, mit deinem thörigten Traum? With your foolish dream? Works Cited
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