Schubert - Winterreise, D 911 "Erstarrung" - D F Dieskau

Franz Schubert

from Winterreise, D 911/Op.89 (Winter Journey)
Schubert's song-cycle setting of Wilhelm Müller's poems

My favorite baritone Fischer-Dieskau singing "Erstarrung" from my favorite Schubert work, Winterreise. In his book about Schubert's songs, Fischer-Dieskau wrote these paragraphs about this 24-song cycle:

"Although Schubert himself once said that for him there was no real happy music, he had never before attempted such a chain of variations on the theme of grief. If the main character remains a shadowy figure, natural phenomena intrude all the more insistently. The wintry landscape, its snowstorms, frozen streams, bare lime trees and the fugitive victim of inhospitality and cold combine to form an unceasing lament. Schubert loved to listen to the sounds of nature; his music echoes a gentle, almost inaudible rustling. Fierce storms, whispering woods and plants, the singing meadows, all are translated into music. Not only in "Der Lindenbaum" are the plants endowed with a musical language. The unpretentiousness and simplicity of Müller's poems are matched by the simplicity of Schubert's musical texture. His sole interest is in the depth of feeling, not in psychological over-refinements. Regret and renunciation are his themes. Dreams are the lover's torture. The battle with his emotions is long and despairing. Sixteen of the poems are in minor keys, the agony is unending before the insanity breaks in."

He continues to talk about the cycle in his book: "Should one offer such an intimate diary of a human soul to an audience whose interests are so varied?" And he concludes: "The views of that section of the audience which expects only a refined, aesthetic entertainment from a Liederabend cannot be allowed to prevail. The singer must have no fears about the chilling effect which these songs can have, given the correct interpretation; he must make no concessions to Austrian charm or maudlin sentimentality, and must be prepared to be criticized for his attitude. If these songs only please us, or stir us or frighten us, then we are a long, long way from fully understanding Schubert's personal statement. Winterreise demands much more than the purely lyrical approach - it runs the gamut of emotions, up to and including drama."


IV. Erstarrung


Ich such' im Schnee vergebens
Nach ihrer Tritte Spur,
Wo sie an meinem Arme
Durchstrich die grüne Flur.

Ich will den Boden küssen,
Durchdringen Eis und Schnee
Mit meinen heißen Tränen,
Bis ich die Erde seh'.

Wo find' ich eine Blüte,
Wo find' ich grünes Gras?
Die Blumen sind erstorben,
Der Rasen sieht so blaß.

Soll denn kein Angedenken
Ich nehmen mit von hier?
Wenn meine Schmerzen schweigen,
Wer sagt mir dann von ihr?

Mein Herz ist wie erstorben,
Kalt starrt ihr Bild darin;
Schmilzt je das Herz mir wieder,
Fließt auch ihr Bild dahin!


IV. Numbness

Vainly I search in the snow
for the footprint she left
when arm in arm with me she
passed along the green meadow.

I want to kiss the ground,
pierce ice and snow
with my hot tears
until I see the soil beneath.

Where shall I find a blossom,
where find green grass?
The flowers are dead, the turf looks so wan.

Is there then no memory
that I may take from here?
When my sorrows are stilled,
what shall tell me of her?

My heart feels dead;
within it her image gazes coldly.
When my heart thaws again
her image will flow away.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Franz
• Schubert
• Winterreise
• D
• 911
• Erstarrung
• Classical
• music
• Dietrich
• Fischer
• Dieskau
• Jorg
• Demus
• Art
• Song
• Cycle

[temptstress666]

horrible, listen to BlackMetal

[civileso]

@temptstress666 I did. For at least 10 years. But it never went any further than a few chords irritating the hell out of me with some patronizing, abusive lyrics that constantly play with the boundaries of sanity. It is for people who can't find any better meaning for their life than to eventually die. Waste of harmony, waste of youth.

[temptstress666]

@civileso It has also saved many lifes, and gives many people hope. I'm sorry you let that one true part of your heart escape. It truly is beautiful, the perfect expression and release Bands like Coldworld for example. And friend there is no meaning to life, it truly is whatever you wish to make of it. its a beautiful ride thank god I have been given this life.

[civileso]

@temptstress666 I even sung many genres of rock and heavy metal. But it remained as a part of me in the past. No, it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't for me.

So then, you may want to consider that THIS music has the same effect on many people's lives and their destiny. I'm one of those who found the hope to live and enjoy countless emotions (pleasant or ugly) that human nature brings forth, in this music. Please don't call what others like "horrible" and keep on enjoying what you enjoy. Cheers!

[vysehrad]

Nice. I listened to a couple other versions on youtube and the pianists bang out the right hand far too loud. I am guessing this is Gerald Moore. It's very nice.

[civileso]

Actually, it is Jörg Demus.

[susiinberlin]

thank you so much for uploading such a preasures presentation !!! I can´t understand that people can complain about your work (I think they have no idea how much time it took you to prepare and upload this clip)

THANK YOU

[WAMEDJO]

@temptstress666

Sorry, but where is god's part -you mention him- since you see no meaning in life ?

[1Victorinus]

It would be so much better if the online score were in the same key as that of the recording.

[PossessWithin]

I rather black metal than this. Nevertheless I study classic music and shit... But black metal is just what my soul is.

[feedingear]

@temptstress666 You need to learn to write a coherent sentence if you want to be a professional troll on the net, otherwise no one will take you seriously sweety.

I'm not sure how my musical taste could even have a talent, perhaps you mean my music? In which case, thank you for listening! Much like this beautifully crafted lied, I hope it brought joy to the soulless shell of an existence you call your life.

[temptstress666]

@feedingear Yeah, I grow tired of under amusing dip shits who were probably tuba players in the school band in highschool. Bye bye there little bud. I would expect this however with your horrible no talent shitty musical taste.

[feedingear]

@tempstress666  a wonderful double negative. Every time you comment on here I become more amused :).

[temptstress666]

@feedingear How cute. You wouldn't not last very long. 

[Divinemetal]

@civileso Funny, for a few years now I have been planning to do a black metal version of this Lied. Maybe even the whole song cycle. The vocals would be this style, not harsh (not sure if it would be soprano or baritone), but black metal music. The accompaniment would be great tremolo picked on distortion guitar. By the way, I have always loved your channel.

[feedingear]

@temptstress666 sure you do champ, i guess thats why you start flame wars on youtube comparing schubert to black metal? Your childish ignorance make me smile.