Songs
Lebensmelodien
(1816)
D395
Lebensmelodien
DER SCHWANAuf den Wassern wohnt mein stilles Leben, Zieht nur gleiche Kreise, die verschweben, Und mir schwindet nie im feuchten Spiegel Der gebogne Hals und die Gestalt.DER ADLER Ich haus’ in den felsigen Klüften, Ich braus’ in den stürmenden Lüften, Vertrauend dem schlagenden FlügelBei Jagd bei Kampf und Gewalt.DER SCHWANAhndevoll betracht’ ich oft die SterneIn der Flut die tiefgewölbte Ferne,Und mich zieht ein innig rührend Sehnen Aus der Heimat in ein himmlisch Land.DER ADLER Ich wandte die Flügel mit Wonne Schon früh zur unsterblichen Sonne,Kann nie an dem Staub mich gewöhnen, Ich bin mit den Göttern verwandt.DIE TAUBEN In der Myrten Schatten Gatte treu dem GattenFlattern wir und tauschen Manchen langen Kuss.Suchen und irren,Finden und girren, Schmachten und lauschen, Wunsch und Genuss.Venus Wagen ziehen Schnäbelnd wir im Fliehen, Unsre blauen Schwingen Säumt der Sonne Gold.O wie es fächelt, Wenn sie uns lächelt! Leichtes Gelingen! Lieblicher Sold!Wende denn die Stürme, Schöne Göttin! schirme Bei bescheidner Freude Deiner Tauben Paar!Lass uns beisammen! Oder in Flammen Opfre uns beide Deinem Altar.
Melodies of Life
THE SWANMy tranquil life is on the waters,drawing equal circles that ripple away to nothing; and in the damp mirror my curved neckand my figure never disappear.THE EAGLE I dwell in the rocky crevasses; I race in the stormy winds,trusting my beating wingsin the hunt, in battle and in attack.THE SWANOften, filled with intuition, I behold the stars in the deep-vaulted, distant flood,and I am drawn by a fervent longingfrom my home to a heavenly land.THE EAGLE In early youth I turned my wings with joy towards the immortal sun;I can never accustom myself to the dust;I am related to the gods.THE DOVES In the shade of the myrtles, spouse true to spouse,we flutter, and exchangemany a long kiss.We seek and rove,find and coo,languish and listenwith desire and pleasure.We draw the chariot of Venus, billing in our flight;our blue wingsare fringed by the gold of the sun.How we stirwhen she smiles upon us! Easy success,a charming reward!Then avert your storms, fair goddess! Shieldyour pair of dovesin their modest pleasure!Let us be together, or sacrifice us both in flamesupon your altar!
If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He was uncommonly gifted from a young age, but appreciation of his music was limited during his lifetime. His work became more popular in the decades after his death, and was praised by 19th century composers, including Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt.
Information from Wikipedia. Read more here.
See Full Entry
Poet
August Wilhelm (after 1812: von) Schlegel, usually cited as August Schlegel, was a German poet, translator, critic, and a foremost leader of Jena Romanticism along with his brother Friedrich Schlegel. His translations of Shakespeare made the English dramatist's works into German classics. Schlegel was also the first professor in Sanskrit on the continent and produced a translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full Wikipedia article please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
Lebensmelodien
Melodies of Life
If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Composer
Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He was uncommonly gifted from a young age, but appreciation of his music was limited during his lifetime. His work became more popular in the decades after his death, and was praised by 19th century composers, including Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, and Liszt.
Information from Wikipedia. Read more here.
See Full Entry
Poet
August Wilhelm (after 1812: von) Schlegel, usually cited as August Schlegel, was a German poet, translator, critic, and a foremost leader of Jena Romanticism along with his brother Friedrich Schlegel. His translations of Shakespeare made the English dramatist's works into German classics. Schlegel was also the first professor in Sanskrit on the continent and produced a translation of the Bhagavad Gita.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full Wikipedia article please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
About Oxford Lieder
Oxford Lieder is one of the world's leading promoters of song and the winner of a prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Award. The focal point of each year is the two-week Oxford Lieder Festival in October.
Find out More