Hans Pfitzner - "An den Mond", Op. 18 (Goethe) Fischer-Dieskau

Among Hans Pfitzner's very best early songs must be counted "An den Mond", Op. 18, a setting of the Goethe poem previously set at least twice by Schubert. The music is mesmerizing in its mystery and brewing tension, with accompaniment that, if not particularly adventurous, is at least effectively atmospheric. In fact, this entire song is riveting in its dark atmosphere and imagery, and in certain ways is actually Impressionistic. Pfitzner seemed to be challenging Debussy by extensively using the whole-tone scale. However, Pfitzner used the scale as a living formal entity, while Debussy thought in terms of atmosphere, impressions, and the picturesque. The scale in Pfitzner's song is at least partly employed as evocation of the moon and the "Nebelglanz" which it casts over landscape and the poet's soul. The composer also fashioned an orchestral version of this song.


An den Mond

Füllest wieder Busch und Tal
Still mit Nebelglanz,
Lösest endlich auch einmal
Meine Seele ganz.

Breitest über mein Gefild
Lindernd deinem Blick,
Wie des Freundes Auge mild
Über mein Geschick.

Jeden Nachklang fühlt mein Herz
Froh und trüber Zeit,
Wandle zwischen Freud und Schmerz
In der Einsamkeit.

Fließe, fließe, lieber Fluß!
Nimmer werd ich froh;
So verrauschte Scherz und Kuß,
Und die Treue so.

Ich besaß es doch einmal,
Was so köstlich ist!
Daß man doch zu seiner Qual
Nimmer es vergißt.

Rausche, Fluß, das Tal entlang,
Ohne Rast und Ruh,
Rausche, flüstre meinem Sang
Melodien zu,

Wenn du in der Winternacht
Wütend überschwillst,
Oder um die Frühlingspracht
Junger Knospen quillst.

Selig, wer sich vor der Welt
Ohne Haß verschließt,
Einen Freund am Busen hält
Und mit dem genießt,

Was, von Menschen nicht gewußt
Oder nicht bedacht,
Durch das Labyrinth der Brust
Wandelt in der Nacht.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe



To the Moon

Again you fill bush and valley
Silently with a misty glow,
And also you finally release
My soul entirely.

You spread your gaze
Soothingly over my fields,
Like a friends eyes gently
Looking upon my fate.

My heart feels every after-echo
Of happy and dreary times,
I walk between joy and pain
In the solitude.

Flow, flow, dear river!
I will never become happy:
Thus merriment and kisses hastened by,
And thus did faithfulness.

But I once possessed
That which is so precious!
To think that nevertheless, to ones torment,
One never forgets it!

Murmur, river, along the valley,
Without rest or repose,
Murmur, whisper melodies
To my song.

When in the winter night, you
Furiously overflow,
Or purl around the springtime splendor
Of young buds.

Blessed is he who shuts himself off
From the world without hatred,
Clasps a friend to his breast
And, together with him, enjoys

That which, not known to people
Or not considered,
Through the labyrinth of the heart
Wanders in the night.

Translation: Stanley Appelbaum


Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Aribert Reimann (piano)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• vocal
• Lieder
• Hans
• Pfitzner
• Goethe
• Fischer-Dieskau
• Reimann
• baritone
• moon

[lesefieber1]

Wirklich schoen anzuschauen und anzuhören! Danke!

[FiDiTanzer528]

Vielen Dank für die freundlichen Wörter.

[DIEZAUBERFLOTEMENSCH]

unearthly

[Wandelbart]

Wundervolle Ganztonschritte! Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau ist der Größte! Der Anfang könnte ein klitzekleines Bischen schneller sein - gähn.

[Tak68]

excellent video and presentation !! thank you very much!!

[007strauss]

Karen, thank you very much for posting that wonderful song! It is a real pleasure for the ears as well as for the eyes. I immediately added it to my favourites.

[oakroom48]

K, I love this - so like the moon. Glad I waited to listen! Mesmerizing. Thanks so much as always for the fabulous video & also, the notes. -b ^^