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 Friedrich Rochlitz's poem An die Laute ("To
the Lute"), the poet implores his lute to softly convey his thoughts of his
beloved to her window. The piano accompaniment of Schubert's setting mimics the
sound of the lute with arpeggios in the bass and "strummed" chords in the right
hand. The lilting 6/8 meter of the song delightfully enhances the poems happy
tone.Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Baritone
Franz Schubert
An die Laute Play
Recorded on 10/12/2004, uploaded on 01/23/2009
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 Friedrich Rochlitz's poem An die Laute ("To the Lute"), the poet implores his lute to softly convey his thoughts of his beloved to her window. The piano accompaniment of Schubert's setting mimics the sound of the lute with arpeggios in the bass and "strummed" chords in the right hand. The lilting 6/8 meter of the song delightfully enhances the poems happy tone. Joseph DuBoseAn die Laute, by Friedrich Rochlitz
Leiser, leiser, kleine Laute,
Flüstre was ich dir vertraute,
Dort zu jenem Fenster hin!
Wie die Wellen sanfter Lüfte,
Mondenglanz und Blumendüfte,
Send es der Gebieterin!
Neidisch sind des Nachbars Söhne,
Und im Fenster jener Schöne
Flimmert noch ein einsam Licht.
Drum noch leiser, kleine Laute;
Dich vernehme die Vertraute,
Nachbarn aber, Nachbarn nicht!
--Johann Friedrich Rochlitz
To the Lute
More softly, more softly, little lute,
whisper what I have confided
to that window there!
Like a gentle billow of air,
like moonlight, or the scent of flowers,
send it to my mistress!
The sons of the neighbours are jealous
and in the window of my fair one
a solitary light still gleams.
So play still softer, little lute,
so that my beloved may hear you
but the neighbours - not the neighbours!
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
Am Flusse
Das Lied im Grünen
Der Liebliche Stern
Fischerlied
Lied des gefangenen Jägers
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