Brahms - "Die Nonne und der Ritter" (duet)

"Die Nonne und der Ritter" (The Nun and the Knight), set to a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff, is one of four vocal duets for alto and baritone that make up Brahms' Op. 28. I find it profoundly moving.


Die Nonne und der Ritter

Da die Welt zur Ruh' gegangen,
Wacht mit Sternen mein Verlangen,
In der Kühle muß ich lauschen,
Wie die Wellen unten rauschen!

"Fernher mich die Wellen tragen,
Die ans Land so traurig schlagen,
Unter deines Fensters Gitter,
Fraue, kennst du noch den Ritter?"

Ist's doch, als ob seltsam' Stimmen
Durch die lauen Lüfte schwimmen;
Wieder hat's der Wind genommen, -
Ach, mein Herz ist so beklommen!

"Drüben liegt dein Schloß verfallen,
Klagend in den öden Hallen,
Aus dem Grund der Wald mich grüßte,
's war, als ob ich sterben müßte."

Alte Klänge blühend schreiten;
Wie aus lang versunknen Zeiten
Will mich Wehmut noch bescheinen,
Und ich möcht' von Herzen weinen.

"Überm Walde blitzt's von weitem,
Wo um Christi Grab sie streiten;
Dorthin will mein Schiff ich wenden,
Da wird alles, alles enden!"

Geht ein Schiff, ein Mann stand drinnen,
Falsche Nacht, verwirrst die Sinne!
Welt Ade! Gott woll' bewahren,
Die noch irr im Dunkeln fahren!

Joseph von Eichendorff (1788-1857)



The Nun and the Knight

As the world goes to rest,
my yearning awakens with the stars;
I must listen in the cool
as the waves roar below!

"I am brought here from far away by waves
that beat so mournfully against the land,
beneath the bars of your window.
Lady, do you still know this Knight?"

It is as if strange voices
are floating through the mild air;
once again the wind has taken them away, -
alas, my heart is so anxious!

"Over there lies your ruined castle
lamenting in its desolate halls;
the way the woods greeted me,
I felt as though I must die."

Old sounds burst forth,
sunk long since in time;
melancholy falls on me once again,
and I feel like weeping from my heart.

"Over the wood lightning flashes from afar,
where they are fighting over the grave of Christ;
There will I steer my ship,
and there will everything end!"

A ship leaves with a man upon it;
false night, you bewilder the mind!
Farewell, world! May God protect
those who wander madly in darkness!

English translation by Emily Ezust


Here is a more poetic translation done by my friend Glenmed. Thanks again, Barry. Great work!


The Nun and the Knight

As the world has gone to rest,
My yearnings with the stars awake,
In evening chill I only hear
The waves a murmuring as they break.

Waves that brought me here from far,
Now mournful crash against the shore.
Woman, neath your trellised window
Will you see this knight no more?

Its just as if the strangest voices
Drift gently here upon the breeze;
And away the wind now takes them,
My heart is sorely ill at ease!

Your castle there is now a ruin,
Its empty halls now mournful lie.
Deep from the earth the forest called,
It seemed as though I had to die.

Sweet echoes from the past appear,
And bloom like those of times gone by.
Once more I am beset with sorrow,
With all my heart I want to cry.

Above the forest lights are flashing,
They battle over Christis tomb
Its there that I will steer my ship now,
And there that all will end in doom!

The ship has gone, and man within,
Deceitful night has churned my mind!
Farewell the world! O God, save all
That stumble in the dark so blind!

Translation by Glenmed


Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano)
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Daniel Barenboim (piano)

From a live recital at
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 1969

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• vocal
• duet
• Brahms
• Janet
• Baker
• Dietrich
• Fischer-Dieskau
• Daniel
• Barenboim
• Eichendorff

[riago7]

Splendid presentation of a favorite!

Thanks dear Music Lady for sharing.

[FiDiTanzer528]

I thought you would like this one. I know how you love Eichendorff.

[GrvYrdTrn]

Enchanting production. I enjoyed the poem and the images immensely. The baritone is richly intense, as only the master, himself, can do. Lovely piano accompaniment and soprano vocal. This one is off to my favorites!

[FiDiTanzer528]

Thanks for viewing, dear friend, and for taking time out from your busy schedule. :)

[Glenmed]

Very moving poem in German. The performers are, of course, perfect. Your artwork to go with it, Karen, makes it sublime.

Emily's translation is good but loses the symmetry. I was inspired into thinking that I could improve on it - but I probably made it worse. I'll send it to you anyway, if you invite me to!

[FiDiTanzer528]

Thank you Barry, and I would of course love to see your translation, if you want to send it to me. I liked Emily's so I used it, not really having time to struggle with my own at this time, lol. The poem in German is wonderful of course. Eichendorff is one of my favorite poets.

[FiDiTanzer528]

You are too kind. If anything that I have done can bring someone new to appreciate this wonderful, intimate art form, then I am pleased. I hope you enjoy my other videos. :)

[FiDiTanzer528]

Thank you dear. I worked really hard on this one. For some reason it took a while to come together. :)

[ferdinandoalbeg]

extraordinarily beautiful! To listen lieder is a new pleasure and emotion thanks to your artworks!

I'am anxious to see and listen other videos of yours!

[megansspark]

one of your best! The closing art was a touch of brilliance. Thank you once again! :)