Heliopolis II
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
Fester Grund und treuer Halt;
Wasserfälle, Windesschauer,
Unbegriffene Gewalt.
Einsam auf Gebirges Zinne,
Kloster wie auch Burgruine,
Grab’ sie der Erinn’rung ein!
Denn der Dichter lebt vom Sein.
Atme du den heil’gen Äther
Schling die Arme um die Welt,
Nur dem Würdigen, dem Grossen
Bleibe mutig zugesellt.
Lass die Leidenschaften sausen
Im metallenen Akkord,
Wenn die starken Stürme brausen,
Findest du das rechte Wort.
Heliopolis II
English translation ©
Richard Wigmore
firm ground and steady foothold;
waterfalls, blasts of wind,
uncomprehended power.
Solitary, on the mountain peak,
stands a monastery and a ruined castle;
etch them in the memory,
for the poet lives through existence.
Breathe the holy ether,
clasp the world in your arms;
boldly consort
only with the worthy and the great.
Let the passions seethe
in brazen harmony.
When fierce tempests rage
you will find the right word.
Heliopolis II
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
Heliopolis II
English source:
Richard Wigmore
Fels auf Felsen hingewälzet,
Rock piled upon rock,
Fester Grund und treuer Halt;
firm ground and steady foothold;
Wasserfälle, Windesschauer,
waterfalls, blasts of wind,
Unbegriffene Gewalt.
uncomprehended power.
Einsam auf Gebirges Zinne,
Solitary, on the mountain peak,
Kloster wie auch Burgruine,
stands a monastery and a ruined castle;
Grab’ sie der Erinn’rung ein!
etch them in the memory,
Denn der Dichter lebt vom Sein.
for the poet lives through existence.
Atme du den heil’gen Äther
Breathe the holy ether,
Schling die Arme um die Welt,
clasp the world in your arms;
Nur dem Würdigen, dem Grossen
boldly consort
Bleibe mutig zugesellt.
only with the worthy and the great.
Lass die Leidenschaften sausen
Let the passions seethe
Im metallenen Akkord,
in brazen harmony.
Wenn die starken Stürme brausen,
When fierce tempests rage
Findest du das rechte Wort.
you will find the right word.
Composer
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an late Classical and early Romantic composer. He produced a vast oeuvre during his short life, composing more the 600 vocal works (largely Lieder), and well as several symphonies, operas, and a large body of piano music. He…
Poet
Johann Mayrhofer
Johann Baptist Mayrhofer , was an Austrian poet and librettist. He is best known for his close friendship with the composer Franz Schubert. Mayrhofer was born in Steyr, educated and Novitiate in St. Florian's Priory Upper Austria. In 1810 he began…