Schubert's remarkable output of songs was the turning point
of the German Lied tradition. With its roots in the songs of Mozart and
Beethoven, the Lied came to maturity with Schubert's careful crafting
and delicate balance between words and music. Instead of simply providing an
accompaniment to the voice, the piano took on its own unique role in portraying
the essence of the words, sometimes reaching a greater clarity than words
themselves could achieve.
In Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Am Flusse
("By the River"), the poet stands by the river watching the water go by. He
talks of sending the beautiful songs he once sung to his beloved into the "sea of oblivion" to be carried away by the waves. Schubert's settings, despite the
sorrowful tone of the poem, is set in D major suggesting the poet has come to
terms with his loss and gives a peaceful, resigned farewell. The piano
accompaniment consists entirely of rocking broken chords depicting the waves of
the river. Joseph DuBose
Am Flusse, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Verfliesset, vielgeliebte Lieder,
Zum
Meere der Vergessenheit!
Kein
Knabe sing' entzückt euch wieder,
Kein
Mädchen in der Blütenzeit.
Ihr
sanget nur von meiner Lieben;
Nun
spricht sie meiner Treue Hohn.
Ihr
wart ins Wasser eingeschrieben;
So
fliesst denn auch mit ihm davon.
--Johnann
Wolfgang von Goethe
By
the river
Flow
away, beloved songs,
Into
the sea of oblivion.
No
enraptured youth, no maiden in the springtime of life
Classical Music | Baritone
Franz Schubert
Am Flusse Play
Recorded on 10/12/2004, uploaded on 01/09/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Schubert's remarkable output of songs was the turning point of the German Lied tradition. With its roots in the songs of Mozart and Beethoven, the Lied came to maturity with Schubert's careful crafting and delicate balance between words and music. Instead of simply providing an accompaniment to the voice, the piano took on its own unique role in portraying the essence of the words, sometimes reaching a greater clarity than words themselves could achieve.
In Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Am Flusse ("By the River"), the poet stands by the river watching the water go by. He talks of sending the beautiful songs he once sung to his beloved into the "sea of oblivion" to be carried away by the waves. Schubert's settings, despite the sorrowful tone of the poem, is set in D major suggesting the poet has come to terms with his loss and gives a peaceful, resigned farewell. The piano accompaniment consists entirely of rocking broken chords depicting the waves of the river. Joseph DuBoseAm Flusse, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Verfliesset, vielgeliebte Lieder,
Zum Meere der Vergessenheit!
Kein Knabe sing' entzückt euch wieder,
Kein Mädchen in der Blütenzeit.
Ihr sanget nur von meiner Lieben;
Nun spricht sie meiner Treue Hohn.
Ihr wart ins Wasser eingeschrieben;
So fliesst denn auch mit ihm davon.
--Johnann Wolfgang von Goethe
By the river
Flow away, beloved songs,
Into the sea of oblivion.
No enraptured youth, no maiden in the springtime of life
Will ever sing you again.
You told only of my beloved,
Now she pours scorn on my constancy.
You were written on the water;
Then with the water flow away.
More music by Franz Schubert
Der Wanderer an den Mond
Tränenregen, from Die schöne Müllerin
Moment musicaux, D. 780 No. 4
Erlkönig
Piano Sonata D. 958, Finale: Allegro
Sonata in B-flat Major, Op. 30, D617
Impromptu Op. 90 No. 2 in E-flat Major, D. 899
Notturno
Impromptu Op 90 N° 3
Standchen, Lieder for Flute and Piano
Performances by same musician(s)
Der Wanderer an den Mond
Fischerweise
Das Fischermädchen
Der Einsame
Der Geistertanz
An die Laute
Das Lied im Grünen
Der Liebliche Stern
Fischerlied
Lied des gefangenen Jägers
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.