MU111: Supplementary Listening #11

Franz Schubert and the Dawn of Romanticism

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Before completing these pages, read the assignment in Todd, Discovering Music
I. Schubert, "Erlkönig" (The Erl King)

Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828) was the first master of one of the few new genres of the nineteenth century, the Lied (plural, Lieder), or German art song. He left a remarkable compositional legacy, including nine symphonies, twenty-two piano sonatas, and over six hundred Lieder. You can get some idea of how prolific Schubert was from the following illustration: in a single year, 1816 (at the age of nineteen), he wrote 179 works, including two symphonies, an opera, and scores of songs.

The first listening example is one of the great examples of musical story-telling, "Erlkönig." Follow the listening guides in the textbook as you listen.

Listen to Schubert, "The Erl King"

II. Schubert, "Gretchen am Spinnrade" (Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel)

Follow the text and translation below as you listen to "Gretchen at the Spinning Wheel." The piano is far more than a mere accompaniment in this song; it approaches being a full partner to the singer. In what ways does the piano reflect not only the situation, but Gretchen's changing mental and emotional states? Concentrate on Schubert's use of mode (major/minor), melodic contour, and register (high vs. low) to emphasize aspects of the verbal text.


Listen to Schubert, "Gretchen am Spinnrade" :



Meine Ruh ist hin, mein Herz ist schwer;
Ich finde sie nimmer und nimmermehr,
Wo ich ihn nicht hab, ist mir das Grab,
Die ganze Welt ist mir vergällt.

Mein armer Kopf ist mir verrückt,
Mein armer Sinn ist mir zerstückt.
Meine Ruh ist hin, mein Herz ist schwer;
Ich finde sie nimmer und nimmermehr.

My peace is gone, my heart is heavy,
I can never find peace, never again.
In his absence, I fell as if dead,
And the whole world is turned to gall.

My poor head is distrtacted,
My poor mind is shattered,
My peace is gone, my heart is heavy,
I can never find peace, never again.

Nach ihm nur schau ich zum Fenster hinaus,
Nach ihm nur geh ich aus dem Haus.
Sein hoher Gang, sein' edle Gestalt.
Seines Mundes Lächeln, seiner Augen Gewalt.

Und seiner Rede Zauberfluss.
Sein Händedruck, und ach, sein Kuss!
Meine Ruh ist hin, mein Herz ist schwer;
Ich finde sie nimmer und nimmermehr.

For him alone I look out the window,
For him alone I go out of the house.
His lofty bearing, his noble form,
The smile of his lips, the power in his glance.

And the magic of his speech,
The clasp of his hand, and oh! His kiss!
My peace is gone, my heart is heavy,
I can never find peace, never again.

Mein Busen drängt sich nach ihm hin,
Ach, dürft ich fassen und halten ihn!
Und küssen ihn, so wie ich wollt,
An seinen Küssen vergehen sollt!

My bosom yearns towards him,
Oh, might I grasp and hold him!
And kiss him however I want,
And on his kisses just pass away!

III. Clara Schumann, Liebst du um Schönheit (If You Love for Beauty)

Finally, listen to a third Lied, "If You Love for Beauty," by Clara Schumann, following the listening guide in the textbook.

Listen to Clara Schumann, "Liebst du um Schönheit" (If You Love for Beauty)