Songs
Suleika
(1843)
Op. 57 no.3
Suleika
Was bedeutet die Bewegung?Bringt der Ost mir frohe Kunde?Seiner Schwingen frische RegungKühlt des Herzens tiefe Wunde.Kosend spielt er mit dem Staube,Jagt ihn auf in leichten Wölkchen,Treibt zur sichern RebenlaubeDer Insekten frohes Völkchen.Lindert sanft der Sonne Glühen,Kühlt auch mir die heissen Wangen,Küsst die Reben noch im Fliehen,Die auf Feld und Hügel prangen.Und mir bringt sein leises FlüsternVon dem Freunde tausend Grüsse;Eh’ noch diese Hügel düstern,Grüssen mich wohl tausend Küsse.Und so kannst du weiter ziehen!Diene Freunden und Betrübten.Dort wo hohe Mauern glühen,Dort find’ ich bald den Vielgeliebten.Ach, die wahre Herzenskunde,Liebeshauch, erfrischtes LebenWird mir nur aus seinem Munde,Kann mir nur sein Atem geben.
Suleika
What does this stirring portend?Is the east wind bringing me joyful tidings?The refreshing motion of its wingscools the heart’s deep wound.It plays caressingly with the dust,throwing it up in light clouds,and drives the happy swarm of insectsto the safety of the vine-leaves.It gently tempers the burning heat of the sun,and cools my hot cheeks;even as it flies it kisses the vinesthat adorn the fields and hillsides.And its soft whispering brings mea thousand greetings from my beloved;before these hills grow darkI shall be greeted by a thousand kisses.Now you may pass on,and serve the happy and the sad;there, where high walls glow,I shall soon find my dearly beloved.Ah, the true message of the heart,the breath of love, renewed lifewill come to me only from his lips,can be given to me only by his breath.
Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition
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Composer
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), brother of Fanny Mendelssohn and grandson of Haskalah and Enlightenment philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music and chamber music.
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Poet
Marianne von Willemer was an Austrian actress and dancer best known for her relationship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and her appearance in his poetry. At the age of 14 she moved to Frankfurt am Main, where she became the third wife of Frankfurt banker Johann Jakob von Willemer. He introduced her to Goethe, who met Marianne in 1814 and 1815. Goethe immortalised her in the Buch Suleika of his late work West-östlicher Diwan; she later revealed that several of its poems were authored by her.
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Previously performed at:
Suleika
Suleika
If you would like to use our texts and translations, please click here for more information.
Composer
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 1809 – 4 November 1847), brother of Fanny Mendelssohn and grandson of Haskalah and Enlightenment philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include symphonies, concertos, piano music and chamber music.
Information from Wikipedia. Click here for more information.
See Full Entry
Poet
Marianne von Willemer was an Austrian actress and dancer best known for her relationship with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and her appearance in his poetry. At the age of 14 she moved to Frankfurt am Main, where she became the third wife of Frankfurt banker Johann Jakob von Willemer. He introduced her to Goethe, who met Marianne in 1814 and 1815. Goethe immortalised her in the Buch Suleika of his late work West-östlicher Diwan; she later revealed that several of its poems were authored by her.
Taken from Wikipedia. To view the full article, please click here.
See Full Entry
Sorry, no further description available.