Classical Music | Baritone

Recorded on 12/31/1969, uploaded on 01/31/2014

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

The last of the songs based on a Rellstab poem, Abschied (Farewell) leaves behind the dreary two songs that preceded it, and concludes the first half of Schwanengesang in a positive mood. The poet, for reasons his own and unbeknownst to the listener, bids a fond farewell to a town where his life was joyful and pleasant. Despite an apparent sadness at this parting betrayed in the closing lines of the first stanza, he refuses for the town to see him sad as he leaves. The piano accompaniment of Schubert’s setting is resolved, while the vocal melody is cheerful and full of hope. One can easily imagine that the poet’s departure of this quaint little town is for a bigger and brighter future somewhere else. The only hint of sadness throughout the entire song is found in the sixth and last stanza. The music modulates from a joyous E-flat major into the key of the flattened submediant as the poet’s determination momentarily falters. From C-flat major, Schubert touches upon both A-flat minor and E-flat minor in the darkest measures of the entire song as the poet regains his resolve (“Darf ich hier nicht weilen, muss hier vorbei” / “I cannot linger, I must go on”). In a deft modulation, Schubert regains the tonic key and the song concludes as joyously as it began.      Joseph DuBose

This recording of Schwanengesang was made in the 1950s.

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