Soprano Elisabeth SCHUMANN ~ Oh! quand je dors (1937)

(IMPROVED VERSION) Elisabeth Schumann (1888-1952) / Oh! quand je dors (Oh! when I sleep) / (Hugo - Lizst) / Recorded: November 22, 1937.

Oh! quand je dors ~

Oh! quand je dors, viens auprès de ma couche,
comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura,
Et qu'en passant ton haleine me touche...
Soudain ma bouche
S'entrouvrira!

Sur mon front morne où peutêtre s'achève
Un songe noir qui trop longtemps dura,
Que ton regard comme un astre se lève...
Soudain mon rêve
Rayonnera!

Puis sur ma lèvre où voltige une flamme,
Éclair d'amour que Dieu même épura,
Pose un baiser, et d'ange deviens femme...
Soudain mon âme S'éveillera!
O viens, comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura!


(English) Oh! when I sleep ~

Oh, when I sleep, approach my bed,
as Laura appeared to Petrarque;
and when in passing, your breath touches me...
suddenly my lips
will part!

On my glum face, where perhaps is ending
a dark dream which lasted too long,
as your glance like a star arises...
suddenly my dream
will become radiant!

Then on my lips, where a flame is fluttering,
a flash of love that God has kept pure,
place a kiss, and from an angel, become a woman...
suddenly my soul
will be awakened!
O come, as Laura appeared to Petrarque!

******************************

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elisabeth
• Schumann
• Liszt
• Quand
• Je
• Dors
• 78
• rpm
• Phonograph
• CurzonRoad

[SophieMenter]

It is the best version I have ever heard of this song. Thanks for uploading it!

[CurzonRoad]

@SophieMenter

Yes.... I agree!

Many thanks!

Doug --

[meltzerboy]

Beautiful Hugo-Liszt melodie, and although I am generally indifferent to Elizabeth Schumann's singing (heresy, I know), this "improved version" does bring out the texture and clarity of her voice better. I prefer, however, Jennie Tourel's magical performance, and Sutherland's recording is also worth hearing. By the way, Doug, you inadvertently omitted the final verse of the song: "O viens, comme a Petrarque apparaissait Laura," very lovely and treacherous for the singer.

[CurzonRoad]

Ah so... thank you! final verse & I trust correct translation duly posted. My heresy is an almost complete blind spot with Sutherland. Would love to hear the Tourel!

[rzimdars1]

Schumann is remarkable. Please also hear Thomas Hampson's recording. Hampson just sang the world premiere of a cycle of 5 songs in February 2011, inspired by Liszt's Petrarch Sonnets. The American Liszt Society, honoring the Liszt Bicentennial, commissioned William Bolcom to write a cycle using texts of 5 Petrarch Sonnets. The result, "Laura Sonnets," was superbly premiered by Mr. Hampson and pianist Craig Rutenberg at the 2011 Amer. Liszt Society Festival at the University of Georgia, Athens.

[oakroom48]

Hypnotic, incomparable. What a voice. What a talent!! And I love your sweet gentle video exactly in keeping with the tempo and feeling of the song. Wish I could wear those dresses every day!! Thanks so much, Doug :-)

[stuartliff]

Great video, magnificent song, wonderful singing. Went round to see her after her first appearance in London after the war (at the Albert Hall). In her dressing room there was no pen to sign autographs so I loaned mine. This meant that I had to remain with her until the last fan departed. Once alone, conversation flowed and finally she asked me whether I would like to join her for a light supper. Stupidly I declined either from naivety or shyness. Vivian

[mayatatyana1]

Doug, absolutely beautiful! Wonderful video. Thank you. Maya

[schlusnus]

Douglas, mon ami.

Us critics surely realize as Ive stated before E. S.

being perhaps the finest German born leider singer of

all German composers music, is hardly known on YT.

I mentioned to Glenmed...from Der Rosen: to all of

leider, it's time she was recognized. She's different!!!

[fairlytaleofnewyork]

Wow! Wonderful singing. Totally agree with Kievest. Love it very much. Thank you!

[Kievest]

Schumann is not given to gradiosity or flights of vocal self indulgence. Every breath, word, phrase, feeling or sensa- tion is dedicated to the expressive inter- pretation the composer intended! In this undisputed masterwork, her reticence and subtlety is as moving and unforgettable as any crash of symbols or explosive sounds from an orchestra! Great photos, Doug, in this prisitine version! Thank you!

[Shabannie]

I do like French lyrics. Nice contribution.

--------Ellen