Schubert - Der Lindenbaum (Winterreise) - Hermann Prey

Hermann Prey/Philippe Bianconi

Franz Schubert
Winterreise op.89 D.911
5. Der Lindenbaum

Recording: Denon (Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, Hamburg-Harburg, 3-6 April 1984)
Piano: Bösendorfer Imperial

This is the third and last studio recording Hermann Prey made of this cycle, the others dating from 1961 (with Karl Engel, piano) and 1971 (Wolfgang Sawallisch, piano). There is also a live recording from 1978 (with Irwin Gage), a video recording made in 1984 (Helmut Deutsch, piano) and one with orchestra (1997); cf. http://home.tiscali.nl/huibspoorenberg/index2.html.
Postcards: http://www.goethezeitportal.de/index.php?id=2887 (8)
http://www.halftimescores.co.uk/ography/postcards.php (Schubert Institute UK) (3)
Illustrations by Lotte Lehmann: http://www.gopera.com/winterreise/articles/ll_paintings/ (2)

The linden (lime) tree is heavy with symbolism. A tree of the germanic myths, it was the sacred tree of the goddess Frigg, Odins spouse, and as such, symbol of motherhood and fertility, and a place of safety. It is a symbol of peace and of love (its leaves are heart-shaped), and of Heimat.
It also marked the central place of community life in germanic times, where council meetings (þing) were held, and open-air courts of law ("iudicium sub tilia"), and as such had similar functions as the forum in ancient Rome. The death penalty was often carried out there and then by hanging the sentenced person from the tree, and it has also attracted suicides well into modern times. The village linden tree served as a centre of social life until very recently (and in some places possibly still does), and village fêtes, dances and open-air worship were held around it.
The linden tree has always been held to have beneficial powers, and preparations made from its various parts have been used to cure many ailments. Waters running close to linden trees were also thought to have healing qualities, which is why municipal wells were often placed next to them (or vice versa).
www.uni-goettingen.de/de/41770.html
www.erzgebirgs-treff.de/Dicknischl/linde/linde.html

Translations (English, français, italiano, espagnol, nederlands, Chinese):
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=11854

I have no intention of violating anyone's rights by using any of this content. Should anyone take issue with me over anything used in this upload, please contact me so that I can put the matter right.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Franz
• Schubert
• Wilhelm
• Müller
• Hermann
• Prey
• Philippe
• Bianconi
• Winterreise
• op.
• 89
• D.
• 911
• voyage
• d'hiver
• tilleul
• tiglio
• Lindenbaum
• Denon
• am
• Brunnen
• vor
• dem
• Tore
• Friedrich
• Ebert
• Halle
• Hamburg
• Harburg

[Duhbstar]

You know I have about 6 recordings of Hermann Prey singing this Lied - and they are all quite different - He was always working on his craft, always trying something new - never satisfied to just "sit on his laurels" Thank you for sharing this as well.

[marykunz]

Such a heartfelt performance of this beautiful sad song. I like how Prey finesses the ending. The graphics are gorgeous!

[leskendal]

Beautiful soulful singing, used completely at the service of the composer.... a truly great singer... gorgeous illustrations too... thanks for posting

[oliveroctavio]

ganz groß, ich applaudiere!

[darktowersl]

i like this version / "interpretation" better

[sfkcbf]

Bravo !  True musical artistry.

[magdalenP]

Thank you !

[harpsichordRB]

Gorgeous!

Thank you for Hermann Prey.