Elisabeth SCHUMANN ~ Oh! quand je dors (1937)

(SEE IMPROVED VERSION IN VIDEO RESPONSES) Elisabeth Schumann (1888-1952) / Oh! When I Sleep (Hugo-Liszt) / Recorded: November 22, 1937. (SEE IMPROVED VERSION IN VIDEO RESPONSES)


Oh! quand je dors ~

Oh! quand je dors, viens auprès de ma couche,
comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura,
Et qu'en passant ton haleine me touche...
Soudain ma bouche
S'entrouvrira!

Sur mon front morne où peutêtre s'achève
Un songe noir qui trop longtemps dura,
Que ton regard comme un astre se lève...
Soudain mon rêve
Rayonnera!

Puis sur ma lèvre où voltige une flamme,
Éclair d'amour que Dieu même épura,
Pose un baiser, et d'ange deviens femme...
Soudain mon âme S'éveillera!
O viens, comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura!


(English) Oh! when I sleep ~

Oh, when I sleep, approach my bed,
as Laura appeared to Petrarque;
and when in passing, your breath touches me...
suddenly my lips
will part!

On my glum face, where perhaps is ending
a dark dream which lasted too long,
as your glance like a star arises...
suddenly my dream
will become radiant!

Then on my lips, where a flame is fluttering,
a flash of love that God has kept pure,
place a kiss, and from an angel, become a woman...
suddenly my soul
will be awakened!
O come, as Laura appeared to Petrarque!

******************************

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elisabeth
• Schumann
• Liszt
• Quand
• Je
• Dors
• 78
• rpm
• Phonograph
• CurzonRoad

[patefon39]

Piękna pieśń.Eliz. Szuman bravo.

Thang You

[CurzonRoad]

and thanks to YOU for listening! All Best. Doug --

[Glenmed]

Nice section of Gerald Moore's book devoted to ES. A vivacious lady.

[CurzonRoad]

Hello Barry: It;s been many years, but shall be returning to Moore's book. The biography by her son is also wonderful. THANK YOU! Doug --

[meltzerboy]

I know it's heresy, but Elisabeth Schumann was never a favorite of mine despite her tremendous reputation as a lieder singer. Same feelings about the equally famous Maggie Teyte. I much prefer Lotte Lehmann in songs such as this. Having said that, Schumann's performance here is lovely. My favorite performance of this most gorgeous song, however, is Jennie Tourel's. Sutherland made an admirable recording of it as well. Thanks for sharing, Doug.

[CurzonRoad]

In the arts there's plenty of room for heresy. Would like very much to hear the Tourel. THANK YOU, Nate!

[HerAeolianHarp]

Dear Doug, Thank you so much! This is exquisite, and I'm so touched and pleased that you sent it to me. I do love it for the purity of its sound and the beauty of its lyrics. Very much. Thanks for adding more luster and light to my evening, and hopefully--through the true function of music--stirring "dreams" that "will become radiant". Elisabeth must be at home among the seven spheres because I'm already feeling her gifts in this regard. Beauty! With heartfelt thanks. - E :)

[blababshik]

Very beautiful!Dear Doug,thanks so much for all your work and discoveries!

[susuemikado]

How beautiful in voice face and form..I grew up listening to some very old records of Elisabeth Schumann owned by Mother.

[Bivolari]

She was lovely. A ray of sunshine in the concert hall. Strauss' Four Last Songs premiered in May 1950. A bit late in her life. I think she had stopped singing by then.

A wonderful lieder singer minus the Viennese mannerism.

[Kievest]

A poetic soliloquy we are privileged to overhear. Your video adds a non- verbal accompaniment to Schumann's exquisite, romantic expression by using compelling images in a most imaginative and supportive way. Wonder if she ever sang Strauss' Four Last Songs or recorded them!! I love the charming way she makes one feel everything the composer and lyricist required with honesty and grace. Thank you, Doug, for this treasure!

[schlusnus]

Truly an exceptional voice and she sang exactly what

suited her voice, not diversifing, so gifted. This is yet another example.

Cheers Doug many thanks. C.