This song was recorded on the album 'Robert and Clara Schumann: Rückert Lieder' on Stone Records (in collaboration with BBC Music Magazine). Featuring every piano-accompanied setting of the poet Friedrich Rückert by both Robert and Clara Schumann, including duets and ensembles, it was recorded in preparation for Oxford Lieder's The Schumann Project in 2016.
Click here to listen to this song with Mary Bevan and Sholto Kynoch, or click here to buy the CD from Stone Records.
Liebster, deine Worte stehlen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Aus dem Busen mir das Herz.
O wie kann ich dir verhehlen
Meine Wonne, meinen Schmerz!
Liebster, deine Töne ziehen
Aus mir selber mich empor,
Laß uns von der Erde fliehen
Zu der selgen Geister Chor!
Liebster, deine Saiten tragen
Durch die Himmel mich im Tanz,
Laß um dich den Arm mich schlagen,
Daß ich nicht versink im Glanz!
Liebster, deine Lieder wanken
Mir ein’ Strahlenkranz ums Haupt,
O wie kann ich dir es danken,
Wie du mich so reich umlaubt.
Dearest, your words are stealing
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
My heart from my breast.
Ah! how can I conceal from you
My rapture and my pain!
Dearest, your voice draws me aloft
From out of myself.
Let us flee the earth
To join the choir of blessed spirits!
Dearest, your lute strings
Bear me dancing into the skies,
Let me put my arm around you
That I don’t faint in such radiance!
Dearest, your songs wreathe
A quivering halo around my brow.
Oh! how can I thank you
For such a glorious garland.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Liebster, deine Worte stehlen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Dearest, your words are stealing
English source:
Richard Stokes
Liebster, deine Worte stehlen
Dearest, your words are stealing
Aus dem Busen mir das Herz.
My heart from my breast.
O wie kann ich dir verhehlen
Ah! how can I conceal from you
Meine Wonne, meinen Schmerz!
My rapture and my pain!
Liebster, deine Töne ziehen
Dearest, your voice draws me aloft
Aus mir selber mich empor,
From out of myself.
Laß uns von der Erde fliehen
Let us flee the earth
Zu der selgen Geister Chor!
To join the choir of blessed spirits!
Liebster, deine Saiten tragen
Dearest, your lute strings
Durch die Himmel mich im Tanz,
Bear me dancing into the skies,
Laß um dich den Arm mich schlagen,
Let me put my arm around you
Daß ich nicht versink im Glanz!
That I don’t faint in such radiance!
Liebster, deine Lieder wanken
Dearest, your songs wreathe
Mir ein’ Strahlenkranz ums Haupt,
A quivering halo around my brow.
O wie kann ich dir es danken,
Oh! how can I thank you
Wie du mich so reich umlaubt.
For such a glorious garland.
Composer
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann was a German composer and influential music critic. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. Schumann left the study of law, intending to pursue a career as a virtuoso pianist. He had been assured…
Poet
Friedrich Rückert
Friedrich Rückert was a German poet, translator, and professor of Oriental languages. Rückert was born at Schweinfurt and was the eldest son of a lawyer. He was educated at the local Gymnasium and at the universities of Würzburg and Heidelberg.…