Songs

Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang

by Johannes Brahms From Vier Gesänge (1869) Op. 17

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Text & Translation

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Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang
German source: Friedrich Ruperti

Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang
Den Lieb’ und Sehnsucht schwellen,
Er dringt zum Herzen tief und bang
Und läßt das Auge quellen.

O rinnet, Tränen, nur herab,
O schlage Herz, mit Beben!
Es sanken Lieb’ und Glück ins Grab,
Verloren ist das Leben!

The rich sound of a harp
English translation © Richard Stokes

The rich sound of a harp rings out,
Increasing love and longing,
Deep and quivering, it pierces my heart
And causes tears to well in my eyes.

Flow down my cheeks, O tears,
Throb and tremble, O heart!
Love and happiness sank into the grave,
My life is lost!

Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang
German source: Friedrich Ruperti

The rich sound of a harp
English source: Richard Stokes

Es tönt ein voller Harfenklang
The rich sound of a harp rings out,
Den Lieb’ und Sehnsucht schwellen,
Increasing love and longing,
Er dringt zum Herzen tief und bang
Deep and quivering, it pierces my heart
Und läßt das Auge quellen.
And causes tears to well in my eyes.

O rinnet, Tränen, nur herab,
Flow down my cheeks, O tears,
O schlage Herz, mit Beben!
Throb and tremble, O heart!
Es sanken Lieb’ und Glück ins Grab,
Love and happiness sank into the grave,
Verloren ist das Leben!
My life is lost!

Composer

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms (7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna.  Brahms has been considered, by his…

Performances

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