Schumann: "Der Einsiedler" (The Hermit), Op. 83, No. 3

A little something for Schumann's birthday...and a fond memory. This performance comes from the very first Fischer-Dieskau recording that I ever heard (age 15, many years ago), an album of Eichendorff songs including the Op. 39 Liederkreis.

Composed in 1850, "Der Einsiedler" (The Hermit) is Schumann's last setting of Eichendorff, "one of those poems combining religious awe with veneration for nature in which the deeply Catholic Eichendorff excelled." (Graham Johnson). Schumann employs a simple strophic setting with the three verses set to the same music. "Nothing can take away from the beauty of this simple but haunting melody and the whole song achieves a quiet majesty in a fine performance."(Graham Johnson)


Der Einsiedler, Op. 83, No. 3

Komm, Trost der Welt, du stille Nacht!
Wie steigst du von den Bergen sacht,
Die Lüfte alle schlafen,
Ein Schiffer nur noch, wandermüd',
Singt übers Meer sein Abendlied
Zu Gottes Lob im Hafen.

Die Jahre wie die Wolken gehn
Und lassen mich hier einsam stehn,
Die Welt hat mich vergessen,
Da tratst du wunderbar zu mir,
Wenn ich beim Waldesrauschen hier
Gedankenvoll gesessen.

O Trost der Welt, du stille Nacht!
Der Tag hat mich so müd' gemacht,
Das weite Meer schon dunkelt,
Laß ausruhn mich von Lust und Not,
Bis daß das ew'ge Morgenrot
Den stillen Wald durchfunkelt.

Josef von Eichendorff (1788-1857)


The Hermit

Come, comfort of the world, quiet night!
As you softly ascend from the mountains
The breezes all go to sleep;
Only a sailor, travel-weary,
Still sings over the water his evening song
In praise of God in the harbor.

The years pass like clouds
And leave me lonesome here,
The world has forgotten me;
You appear to me as a miracle
While I, beside the murmuring wood,
Sit here, lost in thought.

O comfort of the world, quiet night!
The day has so wearied me,
The broad sea is already dark;
Let me rest from yearning and want
Until the eternal daybreak
Flashes through the silent wood.


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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• vocal
• Lieder
• Schumann
• Eichendorff
• Fischer-Dieskau
• baritone

[oakroom48]

Beautiful beautiful as always, Karen! Love the wonderful paintings of ships. Surprising Schumann - sad, touching

music and the mood is reflected in the performance. Alos, thanks for the notes:) Happy Birthday, Robert xxox -b^^

[FiDiTanzer528]

Thanks so much, Barb. This was done rather quickly so I hope it's OK. It's one of his later songs (1850). Kind of a change in style. I love his Eichendorff settings. One of my favorite poets.

[foxtrottango2]

What atmosphere Fischer-Dieskau and Gerald Moore create here, augmented by the beautifully appropriate pictures! Good translation of the original German lyrics. thank you for posting.

[mdehkram]

Thanks. I too have the original recording of this song, and I have always been impressed with DFD's performance of it. I cannot think of another singer for which it is more appropriate. The last stanza is particular effective with his legato singing, control of rhythm, and tone color. I interpret the night as a metaphor, and that the song is an expression of world-weariness and longing for death.  DFD is able invest his voice with meaning, pointing to the profound beyond the text.

[mdehkram]

The way that DFD interprets the last stanza of this song is remarkable. I can recall the first time I heard it on recording many years ago. He lingers on notes, and the tempo has a dragging quality of weariness. His mezzo voce sound is unique, somewhat drained of color, and airy. One has the feeling that he is an oracle making a transcendent, ultimate statement. No other singer can approach him on songs of this nature.

[Erwin78609]

There is a mistake in your english version!

Correct:

As you softly descend from the mountains

[spillingguts]

This is my favourite video on youtube.

[ekonvollm]

Herzlichen Dank, liebe Karen für diese wundervolle Video. Es ist wirklich einmalig, wie Du diese Liedtexte bebilderst.

[PantherCamaro]

that really made me feel sad

[milly1801]

I have this album also. This is on the reverse side of Liederkreis Op 39. It was recorded in March of 1964, just a few months after the death of his wife, Irmgard. What a terrible tragedy!

FiDiTanzer thank you so much. You are a true fan...: )

Milly1801

[deflactor]

Many Thanks! :)

[oakroom48]

I love Eichendorff, too. The video is great!! I loved it .. -b xx