Der Doppelgänger by Schubert

Still ist die Nacht ... Franz Schubert

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Baritone
Gerald Moore, Piano


Still ist die Nacht, es ruhen die Gassen,
In diesem Hause wohnte mein Schatz;
Sie hat schon längst die Stadt verlassen,
Doch steht noch das Haus auf demselben Platz.

Da steht auch ein Mensch und starrt in die Höhe
Und ringt die Hände vor Schmerzensgewalt;
Mir graust es, wenn ich sein Antlitz sehe -
Der Mond zeigt mir meine eigne Gestalt.

Du Doppelgänger, du bleicher Geselle!
Was äffst du nach mein Liebesleid,
Das mich gequält auf dieser Stelle
So manche Nacht, in alter Zeit?

------
The Double

The night is calm, the avenues are quiet,
My sweet one lived in this house;
She has already left the city long ago,
The house certainly still stands, in the same place.

A man is standing there, too, staring up into space,
And powerfully wringing his hands in torment.
It horrifies me, when I see his countenance,
The moon shows me my own form.

You my fearful double, you pale partner!
Why do you ape the pain of my love,
That has tortured me here in this spot
So many a night, in times long ago?


The Lied and Art Song Texts Page is gratefully acknowledged for original text by Heinrich Heine and English translation. Link to site:
http://www.recmusic.org/lieder/get_text.html?TextId=7479

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Doppelgänger
• Schubert
• Heine
• Fischer-Dieskau
• Moore

[NievedeEspejos]

I love this version. It's very intense.

Thanks.

[oakroom48]

@NievedeEspejos Glad you like it!

[jamespianomanh]

I don't find this version haunting or beautiful; Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau makes it seem laboured, overly careful, and unnatural, whilst the tempo is almost too slow - I don't feel the rising angst or dread in the several bars marked "accelerando". I much prefer Richard Morrison or Jan Martiník (even though he's a bass).

[oakroom48]

@jamespianomanh Thank you for your comment.

[protectobot83]

thank you, I love this song but never been able to find it on CD..great recording

[oakroom48]

Glad you liked it :)

[ilkertenor]

@jamespianomanh

i agree its maybe a bit too slow but i heared now richard morrison and must say i like it but i thinks its too fast. if you look in scores schubert wrote "sehr langsam" what he usally never does..same with the dynamics.he never used tripple forte ..also he wrote small diminuendi for piano which can be done just by let the accord sound till it disappears so you need a slow tempo..i personally think it should sung and played as a recetativo.

my favorite version is from werner güra

[johnwhite79]

@zrshwe Maybe there are key or chord prog similarities? I don't know enough. But the Bach is of course more forward-moving and slightly peppy despite its sadness. The Schubert is utterly resigned and empty. It is very creepy, but far worse is the feeling of total hopelessness. You need that space to let the chords reverberate a bit too long as if wishing for a response – but finding nothing.

[oakroom48]

Thanks for the comment! I agree :)