Hans Pfitzner: Cantata, "Von deutscher Seele" Part 1 "Mensch und Natur" 1-6

Hans Pfitzner (1869-1949)
"Von deutscher Seele" (Of the German Soul)
A Romantic Cantata after texts by Joseph von Eichendorff
for four solo voices, mixed chorus, orchestra and organ

Agnes Giebel (soprano)
Hertha Töpper (alto)
Fritz Wunderlich (tenor)
Otto Wiener (bass)
Orchestra and Chorus of the Bavarian Radio
Joseph Keilberth cond.


Part One: "Mensch und Natur" (Man and Nature)
Pt 1 of 6


Spruch 1 aus "Wandersprüche"

Es geht wohl anders, als du meinst:
Derweil du rot und fröhlich scheinst,
Ist Lenz und Sonnenschein verflogen,
Die liebe Gegend Schwarz umzogen;
Und kaum hast du dich ausgeweint,
Lacht alles wieder, die Sonne scheint,
Es geht wohl anders, als man meint.


Aphorism 1 from "Travel dicta"

It is quite different from what you think:
While you appear ruddy and merry,
Spring and sunshine have vanished,
The dear region has turned black;
And scarcely have you wept your fill
Than everything smiles again, the sun shines,
It is quite different from what one thinks.


Spruch 3 aus "Wandersprüche"

Was willst auf dieser Station
So breit dich niederlassen?
Wie bald nicht blast der Postillon,
Du mußt doch alles lassen.


Aphorism 3 from "Travel dicta"

Why will you set yourself up
So solidly at this stage?
How soon will the postillion not blow,
And then you must leave everything.


Orchestral Interlude:
"Tod als Postillon" (Death as Postillion)


Spruch 3 aus "Wandersprüche"

Was willst auf dieser Station, usw.


Aphorism 3 from "Travel dicta"

Why will you set yourself up, etc.

English translation: Lionel Salter

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• cantata
• chorus
• Pfitzner
• Eichendorff
• Giebel
• Töpper
• Wunderlich
• Wiener
• Keilberth

[Glenmed]

Wonderful work, Karen. You help those of us with less imagination than you have

[oakroom48]

Karen, I cannot imagine a more effective nor beautiful visual for this fascinating piece. Magnificent work - thank you so much! Your efforts are deeply appreciated:)

[007strauss]

Karen, thank you so much for posting these wonderful videos of the first part of "Von deutscher Seele". You did a great job! I hope that many people will find out what a great composer Pfitzner was when listening to this unique interpretation (the best available, I think) with our unforgettable Fritz Wunderlich and watching the beautiful paintings you've selected.

[saiserieht]

Fantastic. Your videos are works of art. I never heard this fantastic composition before, and I LOVE it!

The selected paintings fit the music perfectly and some of them are otherworldly beautiful. Great editing, too, I am looking forward to watching part 2! Thanks to Barbara, who recommended these.

[podkivanok]

Viva Pfitzner :)

By the way, Eichendorff is my favorite poet. And I am glad that the composer choose his texts.