Hello All,
Last week I asked you to indulge me and sent you two longish videos with not a great deal of German but hopefully you found them worth it. This week’s videos are an indulgence of a different type. If last week I sent you what I consider to be the best piece of music ever written (to the extent that there is such a thing) this week I’m sending you videos of who I consider to be the greatest singer on record (again, this is a silly thing to think but there it is). Fritz Wunderlich was born in 1930 in Kusel, Germany in the southwest corner of the country and died 5 days after I was born in 1966. His death was caused by a drunken fall down some stairs at a friend’s hunting lodge while on vacation. Remember, don’t drink and stair!
Fortunately for us, Wunderlich left an extremely large discography for a man who died at 36 years old and recorded almost entirely in German no matter what the repertoire. The first video is a live performance with piano of “Dies Bildnis” from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” We’re concerned here with diction but do pay attention as the man gives a masterclass in ease of technique in this video. The second video contains 4 songs by Schubert. All I’m asking is for you to listen to the first two, Heidenröslein and Die Forelle; two songs which are such standard rep. you should learn them if you don’t know them already. And the final video is of a Mexican song called “Granada” by Agustin Lara. Oddly, this song has been famous for a long time and basically holds the same place in the rep. as any Neapolitan song ever written. Here of course Wunderlich sings in German which is odd but odder still is how he somehow keeps the language romantic so that you barely notice that it’s not Spanish or Italian. And enjoy the final high C which is just ridonculous!
This is a man who really caresses the German sounds but uses a legato line in a way that makes the language beautiful. What do you hear?
R
As always, texts, score links and translations follow the video links
Dies Bildnis video
Last week I asked you to indulge me and sent you two longish videos with not a great deal of German but hopefully you found them worth it. This week’s videos are an indulgence of a different type. If last week I sent you what I consider to be the best piece of music ever written (to the extent that there is such a thing) this week I’m sending you videos of who I consider to be the greatest singer on record (again, this is a silly thing to think but there it is). Fritz Wunderlich was born in 1930 in Kusel, Germany in the southwest corner of the country and died 5 days after I was born in 1966. His death was caused by a drunken fall down some stairs at a friend’s hunting lodge while on vacation. Remember, don’t drink and stair!
Fortunately for us, Wunderlich left an extremely large discography for a man who died at 36 years old and recorded almost entirely in German no matter what the repertoire. The first video is a live performance with piano of “Dies Bildnis” from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.” We’re concerned here with diction but do pay attention as the man gives a masterclass in ease of technique in this video. The second video contains 4 songs by Schubert. All I’m asking is for you to listen to the first two, Heidenröslein and Die Forelle; two songs which are such standard rep. you should learn them if you don’t know them already. And the final video is of a Mexican song called “Granada” by Agustin Lara. Oddly, this song has been famous for a long time and basically holds the same place in the rep. as any Neapolitan song ever written. Here of course Wunderlich sings in German which is odd but odder still is how he somehow keeps the language romantic so that you barely notice that it’s not Spanish or Italian. And enjoy the final high C which is just ridonculous!
This is a man who really caresses the German sounds but uses a legato line in a way that makes the language beautiful. What do you hear?
R
As always, texts, score links and translations follow the video links
Dies Bildnis video
Score
Schubert Songs video
Score of
Heidenröslein
Score of Die
Forelle
Granada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLxe14bA8og
Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön
Wie noch kein Auge je geseh'n!
Ich fühl' es, wie dies Götterbild
Mein Herz mit neuer Regung füllt.
Dies' etwas kann ich zwar nicht nennen,
Doch fühl' ichs hier wie Feuer brennen.
Soll die Empfindung Liebe sein?
Ja, ja, die Liebe ist's allein.
O, wenn ich sie nur finden könnte!
O, wenn sie doch schon vor mir stände!
Ich würde, würde, warm und rein,
Was würde ich? Ich würde sie voll Entzücken
An diesen heissen Busen drücken
Und ewig wäre sie dann mein.
This image is
enchantingly lovely,
Like no eye has ever beheld!
I feel it as this divine picture,
Fills my heart with new emotion.
I cannot name my feeling,
Though I feel it burn like fire within me,
Could this feeling be love?
Yes! Yes! It is love alone!
Oh, if only I could find her,
If only she were standing before me,
I would, I would, with warmth and honor ...
What would I do? Full of rapture,
I would fold her in this glowing bosom,
And then she would be mine forever!
German
Sah ein Knab' ein Röslein stehn,
Röslein auf der Heiden,
War so jung und morgenschön,
Lief er schnell, es nah zu sehn,
Sah's mit vielen Freuden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Knabe sprach: Ich breche dich,
Röslein auf der Heiden!
Röslein sprach: Ich steche dich,
Daß du ewig denkst an mich,
Und ich will's nicht leiden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Und der wilde Knabe brach
's Röslein auf der Heiden;
Röslein wehrte sich und stach,
Half ihm doch kein Weh und Ach,
Mußt es eben leiden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Die Forelle
In einem Bächlein helle,
Da schoß in froher Eil
Die [launige]1 Forelle
Vorüber wie ein Pfeil.
Ich stand an dem Gestade
Und sah in süßer Ruh
Des muntern [Fisches]2 Bade
Im klaren Bächlein zu.
Ein Fischer mit der Rute
Wohl an dem Ufer stand,
Und sah's mit kaltem Blute,
Wie sich das Fischlein wand.
So lang dem Wasser Helle,
So dacht ich, nicht gebricht,
So fängt er die Forelle
Mit seiner Angel nicht.
Doch [plötzlich]3 ward dem Diebe
Die Zeit zu lang. Er macht
Das Bächlein tückisch trübe,
Und eh ich es gedacht,
So zuckte seine Rute,
Das Fischlein zappelt dran,
[Und ich mit regem Blute
Sah die Betrogene an.]4
A brooklet soft and gentle --
rushing on with glee --
A trout like arrow darting -
so playfully and free -
And standing by the brook-side
I gazed in pure delight.
At happy fishlet playing
In lucid brooklet bright.
A fisherman with rod stood
watching from nearby
He followed fishlet's movements
With cold and scheming eye.
"So long stays clear that brooklet"
I thought, with comfort sure
"He cannot trap my fishlet --
Or catch it with his lure."
But soon with crude impatience --
He broke the calm -
He stirred and muddied all that water --
And just as I had feared --
He tugged upon his rod --
And dangled my fishlet on his hook.
Oh, how my heart was burning
Betrayed were fish and brook!
Granada
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Es locken die Schönen mit zärtlichen Tönen -- Granada.
Verliebte sie harren beim Klang der Gitarren -- Granada.
Auch mir lacht die Eine beim spanischen Weine in lauschiger Nacht.
Ich halte sie selig umfangen und sie kennt mein heißes Verlangen das Brennen erwacht.
Es grüßen von Ferne die silberne Sterne - Granada.
Nun dämmert es wieder berauscht sind die Lieder - Granada.
Es schimmern im hellblauen Morgen herüber die Berge der Sierra Nevada.
Wenn über Granada der Tag erwacht und golden die Sonne lacht in strahlender Pracht.
Granada, Märchen aus uralter Zeit,
Deine Schönheit lockt wie vor vielen hundert Jahren noch heut.
Dieses Lied will ich für dich heut singen.
Dieses Lied soll dir zum Ruhm erklingen.
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Es grüßen ...
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Do you know Granada by night?
Its beauties entice with sounds tender and nice -- Granada.
Guitars are beguiling, all lovers are smiling -- Granada.
I too found delight, so merry the night, with her Spanish wine.
Embracing with bliss her fiery kiss kindles this longing in me.
Each silvery star greets you from afar -- Granada.
Through the night there is singing, more wine they are bringing -- Granada.
Now shimmers the dawning, bright blue in the morning on hill-sides of Sierra Nevada.
Then over Granada the new day and sun pour gold down in bright streaming splendour.
Granada, you age-old fairy tale.
Your beauty, yet now, entices just how you have done so for hundreds of years.
This song will I sing for you today,
This song will sound forth your fame.
Do you know Granada by night?
English
Passing lad a rose blossom spied,
Blossom on the heath growing,
'Twas so fair and of youthful pride,
Raced he fast to be near its side,
Saw it with joy o'erflowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
Said the lad: I shall pick thee,
Blossom on the heath growing!
Blossom spoke: Then I'll prick thee,
That thou shalt ever think of me,
And I'll not be allowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
And the lusty lad did pick
The blossom on the heath growing;
Blossom, in defense, did prick,
'Twas, alas, but a harmless nick,
Had to be allowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
Like no eye has ever beheld!
I feel it as this divine picture,
Fills my heart with new emotion.
I cannot name my feeling,
Though I feel it burn like fire within me,
Could this feeling be love?
Yes! Yes! It is love alone!
Oh, if only I could find her,
If only she were standing before me,
I would, I would, with warmth and honor ...
What would I do? Full of rapture,
I would fold her in this glowing bosom,
And then she would be mine forever!
German
Sah ein Knab' ein Röslein stehn,
Röslein auf der Heiden,
War so jung und morgenschön,
Lief er schnell, es nah zu sehn,
Sah's mit vielen Freuden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Knabe sprach: Ich breche dich,
Röslein auf der Heiden!
Röslein sprach: Ich steche dich,
Daß du ewig denkst an mich,
Und ich will's nicht leiden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Und der wilde Knabe brach
's Röslein auf der Heiden;
Röslein wehrte sich und stach,
Half ihm doch kein Weh und Ach,
Mußt es eben leiden.
Röslein, Röslein, Röslein rot,
Röslein auf der Heiden.
Die Forelle
In einem Bächlein helle,
Da schoß in froher Eil
Die [launige]1 Forelle
Vorüber wie ein Pfeil.
Ich stand an dem Gestade
Und sah in süßer Ruh
Des muntern [Fisches]2 Bade
Im klaren Bächlein zu.
Ein Fischer mit der Rute
Wohl an dem Ufer stand,
Und sah's mit kaltem Blute,
Wie sich das Fischlein wand.
So lang dem Wasser Helle,
So dacht ich, nicht gebricht,
So fängt er die Forelle
Mit seiner Angel nicht.
Doch [plötzlich]3 ward dem Diebe
Die Zeit zu lang. Er macht
Das Bächlein tückisch trübe,
Und eh ich es gedacht,
So zuckte seine Rute,
Das Fischlein zappelt dran,
[Und ich mit regem Blute
Sah die Betrogene an.]4
A brooklet soft and gentle --
rushing on with glee --
A trout like arrow darting -
so playfully and free -
And standing by the brook-side
I gazed in pure delight.
At happy fishlet playing
In lucid brooklet bright.
A fisherman with rod stood
watching from nearby
He followed fishlet's movements
With cold and scheming eye.
"So long stays clear that brooklet"
I thought, with comfort sure
"He cannot trap my fishlet --
Or catch it with his lure."
But soon with crude impatience --
He broke the calm -
He stirred and muddied all that water --
And just as I had feared --
He tugged upon his rod --
And dangled my fishlet on his hook.
Oh, how my heart was burning
Betrayed were fish and brook!
Granada
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Es locken die Schönen mit zärtlichen Tönen -- Granada.
Verliebte sie harren beim Klang der Gitarren -- Granada.
Auch mir lacht die Eine beim spanischen Weine in lauschiger Nacht.
Ich halte sie selig umfangen und sie kennt mein heißes Verlangen das Brennen erwacht.
Es grüßen von Ferne die silberne Sterne - Granada.
Nun dämmert es wieder berauscht sind die Lieder - Granada.
Es schimmern im hellblauen Morgen herüber die Berge der Sierra Nevada.
Wenn über Granada der Tag erwacht und golden die Sonne lacht in strahlender Pracht.
Granada, Märchen aus uralter Zeit,
Deine Schönheit lockt wie vor vielen hundert Jahren noch heut.
Dieses Lied will ich für dich heut singen.
Dieses Lied soll dir zum Ruhm erklingen.
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Es grüßen ...
Kennt ihr Granada bei Nacht?
Do you know Granada by night?
Its beauties entice with sounds tender and nice -- Granada.
Guitars are beguiling, all lovers are smiling -- Granada.
I too found delight, so merry the night, with her Spanish wine.
Embracing with bliss her fiery kiss kindles this longing in me.
Each silvery star greets you from afar -- Granada.
Through the night there is singing, more wine they are bringing -- Granada.
Now shimmers the dawning, bright blue in the morning on hill-sides of Sierra Nevada.
Then over Granada the new day and sun pour gold down in bright streaming splendour.
Granada, you age-old fairy tale.
Your beauty, yet now, entices just how you have done so for hundreds of years.
This song will I sing for you today,
This song will sound forth your fame.
Do you know Granada by night?
English
Passing lad a rose blossom spied,
Blossom on the heath growing,
'Twas so fair and of youthful pride,
Raced he fast to be near its side,
Saw it with joy o'erflowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
Said the lad: I shall pick thee,
Blossom on the heath growing!
Blossom spoke: Then I'll prick thee,
That thou shalt ever think of me,
And I'll not be allowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
And the lusty lad did pick
The blossom on the heath growing;
Blossom, in defense, did prick,
'Twas, alas, but a harmless nick,
Had to be allowing.
Blossom, blossom, blossom red,
Blossom on the heath growing.
