Franz Schubert: "Auf der Bruck", D. 853 (Fischer-Dieskau, Moore)

Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
"Auf der Bruck", D. 853
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Gerald Moore (piano)
Recorded 1957


"It has often been pointed out that the passion and pathos of the Schulze songs foreshadow 'Winterreise'. 'Auf der Bruck', with its blend of courage, hope, and misgiving, might be compared to 'Mut'. The relentless quavers drive on for nearly 150 bars, an image both of the rhythm of the trotting horse and of the rider driven on by his passion and self-doubt. In this strophic setting the risk of monotony is avoided by the subtle changes in the voice line, and by the richness of the tonal palette by means of which Schubert adapts the music to the sense." (John Reed, The Schubert Song Companion.)

Note: The Bruck was a lookout point on a hill near Göttingen, a favorite destination for walks with panoramic views on the Hainberg.



Auf der Bruck

Frisch trabe sonder Ruh und Rast,
Mein gutes Roß, durch Nacht und Regen!
Was scheust du dich vor Busch und Ast
Und strauchelst auf den wilden Wegen?
Dehnt auch der Wald sich tief und dicht,
Doch muß er endlich sich erschliessen;
Und freundlich wird ein fernes Licht
Uns aus dem dunkeln Tale grüßen.

Wohl könnt ich über Berg und Feld
Auf deinem schlanken Rücken fliegen
Und mich am bunten Spiel der Welt,
An holden Bildern mich vergnügen;
Manch Auge lacht mir traulich zu
Und beut mit Frieden, Lieb und Freude,
Und dennoch eil ich ohne Ruh,
Zurück zu meinem Leide.

Denn schon drei Tage war ich fern
Von ihr, die ewig mich gebunden;
Drei Tage waren Sonn und Stern
Und Erd und Himmel mir verschwunden.
Von Lust und Leiden, die mein Herz
Bei ihr bald heilten, bald zerrissen
Fühlt ich drei Tage nur den Schmerz,
Und ach! die Freude mußt ich missen!

Weit sehn wir über Land und See
Zur wärmer Flur den Vogel fliegen;
Wie sollte denn die Liebe je
In ihrem Pfade sich betrügen?
Drum trabe mutig durch die Nacht!
Und schwinden auch die dunkeln Bahnen,
Der Sehnsucht helles Auge wacht,
Und sicher führt mich süßes Ahnen.

Ernst Schulze (1789-1817)



At the Bruck

Trot briskly, without stopping or resting,
My good horse, through the night and the rain!
Why do you draw back before thickets and boughs,
Why are you unsteady on the rough paths?
Though the forest stretches deep and thick,
Yet it must finally open out,
And friendly will a distant light appear
To greet us from the dark valley.

Well could I over mountain and field
Fly on your slender back,
And with the worlds merry play
And with sweet visions content myself;
Many an eye laughs at me with an intimate air,
And offers me peace, love and joy
Yet I hasten without rest,
Back, back to my pain.

Three days I was away
From her, who has bound me for ever;
For three days, sun and stars
And earth and heaven vanished for me.
Instead of pleasure and pain, which with her
Would quickly heal my heart or tear it apart,
I have felt for three days only woe,
And, alas, I had to be without joy!

Far over land and sea we see
The birds flying to warmer fields;
How then should Love itself
Deceive itself as to its true path?
Then trot bravely through the night,
And the dark ways shall disappear;
The bright eye of longing waits,
And sweet anxiety safely guides me.

Translation: Arthur Jacobs

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• vocal
• Lieder
• Schubert
• Fischer-Dieskau
• Moore

[megansspark]

Der Sehnsucht helles Auge wacht!!! On tiptoe as ever, gazing at that far off horizon ;) Marvelous!

[FiDiTanzer528]

@megansspark

Quite a ride, isn't it? This song will be "trotting" through my brain for some time I guess. Now to think on that birthday coming up. :)

[jvtborrel]

I had not heard this version before. Seems to be an early recording, 1960?

[FiDiTanzer528]

@jvtborrel

1957

[sergially]

fantastique !

[mdehkram]

You do such a great job on the videos. I don't find a video on Youtube of DFD's early 1960's performance of Der Doppelganger. I would love to see a video of it.

[Herur22]

One of the best lieder singer ever.

[Herur22]

One of the best lieder singer ever.

[mdehkram]

This is a favorite performance of mine. Great forward motion in the tempo by both performers, the tempo is not held to strictly, but actually rushed, very effective, and well done. Great articulation and marcato and detached singing. Moore treats the bass line in the piano melodically, and as a countermelody to the singer. This song is on an LP of the Art of Gerald Moore, and is an exemplary example of his art.

[sfkcbf]

Bravo to everyone...Schubert, DFD, Moore, and the video producer...all excellent!

High quality videos such as this are the vindication of social media.

[oakroom48]

Oh Karen, I love this!! As always, the perfect video! These performances are miraculous. Thanks so much))

[ca7lendula]

Bravo! And it is not included in your plans to make just Schulze? At least "An Mein Herz" (though I have not found a record), and "Im Frühling?" "Über Wildemann" similar to Auf der Bruck.