Im Abendrot
German source:
Karl Lappe
Vater, wenn sie golden strahlet!
Wenn dein Glanz herniederfällt,
Und den Staub mit Schimmer malet;
Wenn das Rot, das in der Wolke blinkt,
In mein stilles Fenster sinkt!
Könnt’ ich klagen, könnt’ ich zagen?
Irre sein an dir und mir?
Nein, ich will im Busen tragen
Deinen Himmel schon allhier.
Und dies Herz, eh’ es zusammenbricht,
Trinkt noch Glut und schlürft noch Licht.
In the glow of the evening
English translation ©
Richard Wigmore
Father, in its golden radiance
when your glory descends
and paints the dust with glitter;
when the red light that shines from the clouds
falls silently upon my window.
Could I complain? Could I be apprehensive?
Could I lose faith in you and in myself?
No, I already bear your heaven
here within my heart.
And this heart, before it breaks,
still drinks in the fire and savours the light.
Translations by Richard Wigmore first published by Gollancz and reprinted in the Hyperion Schubert Song Edition
Im Abendrot
German source:
Karl Lappe
In the glow of the evening
English source:
Richard Wigmore
O wie schön ist deine Welt,
How lovely is your world,
Vater, wenn sie golden strahlet!
Father, in its golden radiance
Wenn dein Glanz herniederfällt,
when your glory descends
Und den Staub mit Schimmer malet;
and paints the dust with glitter;
Wenn das Rot, das in der Wolke blinkt,
when the red light that shines from the clouds
In mein stilles Fenster sinkt!
falls silently upon my window.
Könnt’ ich klagen, könnt’ ich zagen?
Could I complain? Could I be apprehensive?
Irre sein an dir und mir?
Could I lose faith in you and in myself?
Nein, ich will im Busen tragen
No, I already bear your heaven
Deinen Himmel schon allhier.
here within my heart.
Und dies Herz, eh’ es zusammenbricht,
And this heart, before it breaks,
Trinkt noch Glut und schlürft noch Licht.
still drinks in the fire and savours the light.
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
Karl Lappe
Karl Lappe was the youngest son of the pastor of Wusterhusen. After the early death of his father he attended the city school in Wolgast from 1780.. From 1790 he studied theology, philosophy and philology at the University of Greifswald. After…
Performances
Previously performed at:
- Love and Love Betrayed 19 Oct 2024
- Quiet Music: A Draw-Along 13 Oct 2023
- 62. Christoph Prégardien and Michael Gees: Brahms, Mahler and Schubert 26 Oct 2022
- 35. Settings of Thomas Hardy: Roderick Williams & Christopher Glynn 16 Oct 2020
- Maria Forsström & Sholto Kynoch 10 Mar 2018
- Mastercourse Day One 23 Oct 2017
- Schubert and Strauss: Kathryn Rudge & Christopher Glynn 18 Oct 2017