Songs
Der Geistertanz
(1814)
D116
Der Geistertanz
Die bretterne KammerDer Toten erbebt,Wenn zwölfmal den Hammer Die Mitternacht hebt.Rasch tanzen um Gräber Und morsches Gebein Wir luftigen Schweber Den sausenden Reih’n.Was winseln die Hunde Beim schlafenden Herrn? Sie wittern die Runde Der Geister von fern.Die Raben entflatternDer wüsten Abtei,Und flieh’n an den Gattern Des Kirchhofs vorbei.Wir gaukeln und scherzen Hinab und emporGleich irrenden Kerzen Im dunstigen Moor.O Herz, dessen Zauber Zur Marter uns ward, Du ruhst nun in tauber Verdumpfung erstarrt;Tief bargst du im düsternGemach unser Weh;Wir Glücklichen flüsternDir fröhlich: Ade!
Ghost Dance
The boarded chamberof the dead trembleswhen midnight twelve times raises the hammer.Quickly we airy spirits strike up a whirling dance around gravesand rotting bones.Why do the dogs whine as their masters sleep? They scent from afar the spirits’ dance.Ravens flutter upfrom the ruined abbey, and fly pastthe graveyard gates.Jesting, we flitup and down,like will-o’-the-wisps over the misty moor.O heart, whose spellwas our torment,you rest now,frozen in a numb stupor.You have buried our grief deep in the gloomy chamber; happy we, who whisper you a cheerful farewell!
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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.
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Poet
Friedrich von Matthisson was a German poet, an early member of the German Romantic movement. His best known poem is probably Adelaide, which was set to music by Beethoven.
He was born at Hohendodeleben near Magdeburg, the son of the village pastor, on the 23rd of January 1761. After studying theology and philology at the university of Halle, he was appointed in 1781 master at the classical school Philanthropinum in Dessau. This once famous seminary was, however, then rapidly decaying in public favor, and in 1784 Matthisson was glad to accept a travelling tutorship. He lived for two years with the Swiss author Bonstetten at Nyon on Lake Geneva.
In 1794 he was appointed reader and traveling companion to Princess Louisa of Anhalt-Dessau (wife of Leopold III, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau). They visited Switzerland, Tyrol, and Italy. For a time, they were joined in their travels by Danish author and salonist Friederike Brun. After Princess Louisa's death in 1811, he entered the service of the king of Württemberg, was ennobled, created counselor of legation, appointed intendant of the court theatre and chief librarian of the royal library at Stuttgart. He resided for a time in Italy. In 1828 he retired and settled at Wörlitz near Dessau, where he died on the 12th of March 1831.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
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Sorry, no further description available.
Previously performed at:
Der Geistertanz
Ghost Dance
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
Friedrich von Matthisson was a German poet, an early member of the German Romantic movement. His best known poem is probably Adelaide, which was set to music by Beethoven.
He was born at Hohendodeleben near Magdeburg, the son of the village pastor, on the 23rd of January 1761. After studying theology and philology at the university of Halle, he was appointed in 1781 master at the classical school Philanthropinum in Dessau. This once famous seminary was, however, then rapidly decaying in public favor, and in 1784 Matthisson was glad to accept a travelling tutorship. He lived for two years with the Swiss author Bonstetten at Nyon on Lake Geneva.
In 1794 he was appointed reader and traveling companion to Princess Louisa of Anhalt-Dessau (wife of Leopold III, Duke of Anhalt-Dessau). They visited Switzerland, Tyrol, and Italy. For a time, they were joined in their travels by Danish author and salonist Friederike Brun. After Princess Louisa's death in 1811, he entered the service of the king of Württemberg, was ennobled, created counselor of legation, appointed intendant of the court theatre and chief librarian of the royal library at Stuttgart. He resided for a time in Italy. In 1828 he retired and settled at Wörlitz near Dessau, where he died on the 12th of March 1831.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.
Previously performed at:
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