Hans Pfitzner - "In Danzig"

"In Danzig" is a striking setting by Hans Pfitzner (1869-1949) of a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff, a tribute to the city located on the Baltic Sea. Danzig is the German name for the city now known as Gdańsk in Poland. The dark, chorale-like blocks of sound conjure up the stark architecture of the old town.




In Danzig

Dunkle Giebel, hohe Fenster,
Türme tief aus Nebeln sehn.
Bleiche Statuen wie Gespenster
Lautlos an den Türen stehn.

Träumerisch der Mond drauf scheinet,
Dem die Stadt gar wohl gefällt,
Als läg' zauberhaft versteinet
Drunten eine Märchenwelt.

Ringsher durch das tiefe Lauschen,
Über alle Häuser weit,
Nur des Meeres fernes Rauschen.
Wunderbare Einsamkeit!

Und der Türmer wie vor Jahren
singet ein uraltes Lied:
Wolle Gott den Schiffer wahren,
Der bei Nacht vorüberzieht.

Joseph von Eichendorff




Dark gables, high windows,
Spires peer from misty depths.
Pale statues like ghosts
Stand wordless at the doors.

Dreamlike the moon shines down
on the town it likes so much,
which lies as if magically turned to stone
below, a fairy-world.

Around, through the deep slumber,
over all the houses far and wide,
only the distant roar of the sea can be heard.
Wonderful solitude!

And the watchman, as he has for years,
sings an ancient song:
May God protect the boatman
Who sails past in the night.



Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Karl Engel (piano)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Classical
• Lieder
• Hans
• Pfitzner
• In
• Danzig
• Eichendorff
• Fischer-Dieskau

[akasuicidezero]

A true genius of both harmony and poetics!

[FiDiTanzer528]

If you like Pfitzner, check out my other video of his song "An die Mark".

[solhagen00]

absolutly wonderful....!!!

do you have something about "palestrina"?

they gonna play it in national theater in munich!!

[FiDiTanzer528]

I read about the Munich production of "Palestrina". Wish I could see it. So far the only music from "Palestrina" that I have used in a video is the Prelude to Act I which is the music on my "Glory of Stained Glass" video. I would like to upload more Pfitzner including some from "Palestrina". Thanks for your interest.

[GrvYrdTrn]

Magical! The juxtaposition of the almost dire-sounding words--until you read the translation--with the airy and bright architectural photography is simply brilliant! I loved the "fly-away" effect after those gorgeous night-time scenes between 1:59 and 2:27: incredibly atmospheric. And, you know me...can't resist a reference to seafarers; stunning seascapes and sunset. The music was swell:). Clapping with enthusiasm!

[FiDiTanzer528]

Thank you so much, my friend. I was quite taken with the architecture of the old city. And yes, I know you're partial to the sea. Glad you enjoyed.

[yuehchopin]

sehr groß und tief!

[lxnvcts]

Großartig!

Thank you for sharing this dark but beautiful piece of music!

[honeykisssandsweeeet]

ich hab den selben nachnamen, ich glaub aber nicht dass wir verwandt sind.  :)

[007strauss]

German Romantic at its best. Thanks for posting that juwel!

[akasuicidezero]

welll beeethoven survived in hanz pfitner it was clear 2 me already in 1980 when I first heard hin.

pretty stupid century 1900 was dot ya agrea?

the pop man