Nachtstück
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
Und Luna mit Gewölken kämpft,
So nimmt der Alte seine Harfe, und schreitet
Und singt waldeinwärts und gedämpft:
„Du heilge Nacht:
Bald ist’s vollbracht,
Bald schlaf ich ihn, den langen Schlummer,
Der mich erlöst von allem Kummer.“
Die grünen Bäume rauschen dann:
„Schlaf süss, du guter, alter Mann“;
Die Gräser lispeln wankend fort:
„Wir decken seinen Ruheort“;
Und mancher liebe Vogel ruft:
„O lass ihn ruhn in Rasengruft!“
Der Alte horcht, der Alte schweigt,
Der Tod hat sich zu ihm geneigt.
Nocturne
English translation ©
Richard Wigmore
and the moon battles with the clouds,
the old man takes his harp, and walks
towards the wood, quietly singing:
‘Holy night,
soon it will be done.
Soon I shall sleep the long sleep
which will free me from all grief.’
Then the green trees rustle:
‘Sleep sweetly, good old man’;
and the swaying grasses whisper:
‘We shall cover his resting place.’
And many a sweet bird calls:
‘Let him rest in his grassy grave!’
The old man listens, the old man is silent.
Death has inclined towards him.
Translation by Richard Wigmore
Nachtstück
German source:
Johann Mayrhofer
Nocturne
English source:
Richard Wigmore
Wenn über Berge sich der Nebel breitet
When the mists spread over the mountains,
Und Luna mit Gewölken kämpft,
and the moon battles with the clouds,
So nimmt der Alte seine Harfe, und schreitet
the old man takes his harp, and walks
Und singt waldeinwärts und gedämpft:
towards the wood, quietly singing:
„Du heilge Nacht:
‘Holy night,
Bald ist’s vollbracht,
soon it will be done.
Bald schlaf ich ihn, den langen Schlummer,
Soon I shall sleep the long sleep
Der mich erlöst von allem Kummer.“
which will free me from all grief.’
Die grünen Bäume rauschen dann:
Then the green trees rustle:
„Schlaf süss, du guter, alter Mann“;
‘Sleep sweetly, good old man’;
Die Gräser lispeln wankend fort:
and the swaying grasses whisper:
„Wir decken seinen Ruheort“;
‘We shall cover his resting place.’
Und mancher liebe Vogel ruft:
And many a sweet bird calls:
„O lass ihn ruhn in Rasengruft!“
‘Let him rest in his grassy grave!’
Der Alte horcht, der Alte schweigt,
The old man listens, the old man is silent.
Der Tod hat sich zu ihm geneigt.
Death has inclined towards him.
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…
Performances
Upcoming Performances
- Schubert & Schumann 14 Oct 2024
- Love and Love Betrayed 19 Oct 2024
- Over the piano 23 Oct 2024
Previously performed at:
- Roderick Williams & Roger Vignoles 21 Apr 2024
- 34. Vincent Kusters, Charlie Bo Meijering: Journeys End in Lovers' Meeting 20 Oct 2022
- 7. Benjamin Appl & Thomas Dunford: The Songwriter 15 Oct 2022
- 01. Winter Words: Joshua Ellicott & Anna Tilbrook 27 Feb 2021
- 21. Imogen Cooper plays Schubert: Imogen Cooper & Harriet Burns 13 Oct 2020
- To the Distant Beloved: Robin Tritschler & Graham Johnson 03 Apr 2020
- 41. Schubert & Mortality: Imogen Cooper, James Gilchrist, Anna Tilbrook & Lorraine Byrne Bodley 19 Oct 2019
- 13. Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann: Christoph Prégardien & Sholto Kynoch 13 Oct 2019
- Mastercourse Concert 27 Oct 2018
- Schubert and Strauss: Kathryn Rudge & Christopher Glynn 18 Oct 2017
- Serious Songs: Ashley Riches & Sholto Kynoch 17 Oct 2017
- Franz Schubert: Andrè Schuen & Daniel Heide 21 Oct 2016