Schubert - "Im Walde" (Waldesnacht) D. 708 - Fischer-Dieskau

This is dedicated to my good friend Oakroom48 who has decided that she would rather go live in the woods ala Thoreau. In other words, in a real live Oak Room! :) This is for you Barbara. The dynamic duo at their best.

Schubert composed many great settings of the poetry of Friedrich von Schlegel — Abendröte, Der Wanderer, Die Sterne, and especially Die Gebüsche — but undoubtedly the greatest of all the Schlegel settings is Im Walde (Waldesnacht) (In the Forest) (D. 708). Here Schlegel pantheism inspires Schubert to one of his most impetuous, most masterful, and most exalted song settings. From first note to last, Im Walde sweeps the listener away in thrilling waves of onrushing sound.

The song begins with a moto perpetua figure in the middle fingers of the piano accompaniment, which starts with the first bar of the solo introduction. And despite the enormous range of the song both harmonically and imagistically, that moto perpetua figure both holds the song together and drives it forward. Schlegel's poem is in five strophes with the last strophe opening with the same couplet as the opening strophe. This verbal recapitulation enables Schubert to compose a musical recapitulation. Thus, a song that at first sounds through-composed becomes a sonata form song with the outer verses serving as exposition and recapitulation and the central three verses serving as development. The organic nature of sonata form suits the organic imagery and construction of Schlegel's poem and thus the unity of words and music is thoroughly fused in Im Walde.

But the compositional technique of Im Walde is entirely at the service of the song's overpowering effect. Although pantheism often inspired Schubert to some of his most awe-inspiring music, it infrequently inspired him to write such viscerally exciting music. But Schlegel's images of "God's wings" and "surging waves of the spirit" and "creative breath" draw from Schubert music such as he rarely wrote, music that recalls Die Allmacht and Auflösung in its towering strength. One of the greatest and most exciting of Schubert songs.

James Leonard, www.allmusic.com


Im Walde (Waldesnacht), D.708 (1820)

Windes Rauschen, Gottes Flügel,
Tief in kühler Waldesnacht,
Wie der Held in Rosses Bügel,
Schwingt sich des Gedankens Macht,
Wie die alten Tannen sausen,
Hört man Geisterwogen brausen.

Herrlich ist der Flamme Leuchten
In des Morgenglanzes Tau,
Oder, die das Feld beleuchten,
Blitze, schwanger oft von Tod.
Rasch die Flamme zuckt und lodert,
Wie zu Gott hinauf gefodert.

Ewig's Rauschen sanfter Quellen
Zaubert Blumen aus dem Schmerz,
Trauer doch in linden Tönen
Schlägt uns lockend an das Herz.
Fernab hin der Geist gezogen,
Die uns locken, durch die Wogen.

Drang des Lebens aus der Hülle,
Kampf der starken Triebe wild
Wird zur schönsten Liebesfülle,
Durch des Geistes Hauch gestillt.
Schöpferischer Lüfte Wehen
Fühlt man durch die Seele gehen.

Windes Rauschen, Gottes Flügel,
Tief in kühler Waldesnacht,
Freigegeben alle Zügel
Schwingt sich des Gedankens Macht,
Hört in Lüften ohne Grausen
Den Gesang der Geister brausen.

Friedrich von Schlegel (1772-1829)



In the Forest (Forest Night)

Winds rushing, wings of God,
Deep in a cold forest night;
Like the hero into the steeds stirrup
The power of thought hoists itself;
As the old pine trees swish
One hears spirit waves blustering.

Glorious is the glow of flame
In the dew of radiant morning
Or, illuminating the meadow,
Lightning that often foretells death.
Quickly the flame flickers and flares
As if summoned aloft to God.

Eternal rushing of gentle springs
Charms flowers from pain;
Though grief in gentle sounds
Strikes us enticingly on the heart.
The spirit is drawn far hence
Through the waves which entice us.

The urge for unprotected life,
The savage battle of strong impulsion,
Turns to fairest brimming love
Quietened by the whisper of spirits.
The breath of creative air
Can be felt moving through the soul.

Winds rushing, wings of God,
Deep in a cold forest night;
Freed from every bridle
The power of thought hoists itself,
And in the air hears without sorrow
The song of spirits blustering.

Translation by William Mann


Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Gerald Moore (piano)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• vocal
• lieder
• Franz
• Schubert
• Friedrich
• Schlegel
• Fischer-Dieskau

[minnie888444]

This is a magnificent video: brilliant singing coupled with splendid imagery, thank you.

[FiDiTanzer528]

@minnie888444

Thanks, Monica. Nothing but the best for Barbara's birthday. :)

[oakroom48]

I can never thank you enough for sending this to me. I am awed by the setting - Schubert seems to have outdone himself. And I have never been more knocked back by the performers - in the summit of their top form. The photos are simply gorgeous. Karen, this is fantastic - really. Like my friend mutewoman, I am speechless. Simply beautiful!! I am deeply honored by your dedication. -b xx :)

[FiDiTanzer528]

Well, Barb, when I was working on this one you kept coming to mind. You and your woods. I'm glad you like it. One of my favorites and not that well known.

[megansspark]

a beautiful gallop-er... and I am with barbara, (and thoreau) -- to the woods! thanks, ladies :)

[FiDiTanzer528]

I know you love those gallopers, M. Love the Schegel poem too.

[jasquilaria]

Wonderful video! Thank you.

[UknowUloveMe94]

Dieses Lied ist großartig. Und es ist unheimlich. Hier scheint der Künstler, ganz bei sich oder oder ganz außerhalb seiner selbst, wie der Kolloge meint, die Empfindung einer ganzen Generation in großartige, künstlerische, musikalische Form gebracht zu haben.

Es kündigt sich darin die Moderne an mit all ihren Facetten, die Entzauberung Gottes, der Forscherdrang und- die aufziehenden totalitären Ideoliegen, einschießlich des Faschismus

[MVerbesserung]

I've always wanted to sing this wonderful song but have hesitated because it seems so tendonits-inducing for the pianist. It must have been somewhat easier to play on a fortepiano.

[Emotion1style]

I like this song because i love to be in the forest

[123pelerin]

Superbly done

[stmaurmusic]

Beautiful images, well matched to the music and words. Thank you!

[lovethepiano]

Well done. Nice!

[imusiciki]

Lovely Schubert piece & a very nice tempo!