George London sings Schubert -- "An die Musik"

Schubert's famous ode to the wonders of music, on a poem by Franz von Schober. This lied, D. 547 (Op. 88, No. 4), dates from 1817. Schubert's famous ode to the wonders of music, on a poem by Franz von Schober. This lied, D. 547 (Op. 88, No. 4), dates from 1817.


George London, bass-baritone



Von Schober, while a law student in 1816, heard a few of Schubert's songs and found out he was still barely surviving the drudgery of school and looking for work. Von Schober proposed to install him in his own household, so Schubert could concentrate on just composing. Schubert agreed to this after his father's consent was given.


An die Musik

Du holde Kunst, in wieviel grauen Stunden,
Wo mich des Lebens wilder Kreis umstrickt,
Hast du mein Herz zu warmer Lieb entzunden,
Hast mich in eine beßre Welt entrückt!

Oft hat ein Seufzer, deiner Harf' entflossen,
Ein süßer, heiliger Akkord von dir
Den Himmel beßrer Zeiten mir erschlossen,
Du holde Kunst, ich danke dir dafür!


To the Art of Music

Oh hallowed Art, how often, when depression
and life's wild circle had ensnared my space,
have you aroused my heart to love's compassion,
have you removed me to a better place!

How often has the sigh your harp created,
a sacred chord of your enchanted mood,
to heaven's better times my soul elated:
Oh hallowed Art, to you my gratitude!



Translation by Walter A. Aue, who notes:

The German word "hold", as in "Du holde Kunst", is virtually untranslatable. Musically speaking, it has too many overtones. Two translations I know of - i.e. that I tracked down after I had done my own - use "gracious" and "sacred". Good choices, particularly the former. One could use these, or use "lovely", "gentle", "propitious", "charming" - and then some. My use of "hallowed" is as incomplete and as unsure as any of these.

But one thing is sure: None of these adjectives describe "highbrow" music as it is written today. In fact, one would have to press antonyms into service for that. Is there any more solace to be found in the music of today? Should Ortega y Gasset have been right with his claim, in the first half of the 20th century, that music - or, as he wrote, art - had died? If so, will there again be an anthropomorphic resurrection, or is it really all over?

Incidentally, Franz (Adolf Friedrich) von Schober was a Swede - well, a Swede born of an Austrian mother (at Torup Castle near Malmö), anyway.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lied
• Lieder
• Schubert
• Schober
• George
• London
• bass-baritone
• classical

[robertwbecker]

Wow, where did you get this? The Great one, George London!

[TheGreatPerformers]

I recorded this clip off "Classic Arts Showcase" on TV. I seem to recall that the information screen said this clip was provided to them by the George London family.

[ah332]

this song is meant to be whatever the artist chooses it to be. the poem is too personal for there to be a "correct" interpretation.

i enjoy wunderlich's recording, but it's a perfect example of the wonders of musical and poetic interpretation. one can sing schober's poem with a youthful enthusiasm (wunderlich) and another can read it w/ an earnest, reflective, and sincere gratitude. i believe london employs the latter.

[aseshet]

It's amazing how closed people are to different interpretations. Sure, this is in a low key and sung by a dark voice (heck, it's George London!), but have you read the words of the poem? I find a darker interpretation much more appropriate to the text:

"how often, when depression

and life's wild circle had ensnared my space"

"to heaven's better times my soul elated"

[royarmjr]

Great voice, and such wonderful lied! So grateful you shared this video. Gracias!

[ArthurKaletzky]

@gallferi Gurkenstolz wants the Bavarian pronunciation. As far as my ear can tell me (lived in Munich for a few years but my grandmother tongue is Rigaer), London sings the conventional High German one (Proudofhiscucumber might deprecate it as "Preussisch"). Schubert, being Viennese, would likely have been happy with either!

BTW, is it in B or Bb major here?

[ballbasher100]

Why don't we hear singers like this anymore. None of this over the top interpretations that we have to put up with at the moment ie the cambridge school of anal suppressed rubbish. Wonderful George London. We hear the Human being!

[pcandias]

@fulerguy B major I think.

[gallferi]

@Gurkenstolz Hey turkey! Nowhere do I hear your "citation" (Böö....etc). I assume you criticized London's technique. A round "eh" in the upper regions of a low voice should go toward the "French open oe" (according to my respected teacher: Daniel Ferro of N.Y.C.). How do YOU sing it? (if you sing at all): "beeehsreh Weeehlt entriiiickt" ?

[fulerguy]

What key is this in?

[EyeoftheYeti]

@BurlyLumberjack rhythm*

[jmkraus1756]

the one and only, what a pitty he had to give up singing way too early...............

[Gurkenstolz]

Bööösröö Wöööld entröckt