Songs
Schneeglöckchen
by Robert Schumann From Lieder-Album für die Jugend (1849) Op. 79 21.iv–13.v.1849
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 Roderick Williams and Sholto Kynoch, or click here to buy the CD from Stone Records.
Schneeglöckchen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Vom Himmel fiel,
Hängt nun geronnen heut als Glöckchen
Am zarten Stiel.
Schneeglöckchen läutet, was bedeutet’s
Im stillen Hain?
O komm geschwind! Im Haine läutet’s
Den Frühling ein.
O kommt, ihr Blätter, Blüt’ und Blume,
Die ihr noch träumt,
All zu des Frühlings Heiligtume!
Kommt ungesäumt!
Snowdrop
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
From the sky,
Hangs now, frozen, as a little bell
From a delicate stem.
A bell of snow rings in the silent wood,
What can it mean?
O come quickly! The wood is ringing
Springtime in.
Come quickly, leaves, blossom and flowers,
You who still dream,
Into spring’s sanctuary!
Come without delay!
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Schneeglöckchen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Snowdrop
English source:
Richard Stokes
Der Schnee, der gestern noch in Flöckchen
The snow that only yesterday fell in flakes
Vom Himmel fiel,
From the sky,
Hängt nun geronnen heut als Glöckchen
Hangs now, frozen, as a little bell
Am zarten Stiel.
From a delicate stem.
Schneeglöckchen läutet, was bedeutet’s
A bell of snow rings in the silent wood,
Im stillen Hain?
What can it mean?
O komm geschwind! Im Haine läutet’s
O come quickly! The wood is ringing
Den Frühling ein.
Springtime in.
O kommt, ihr Blätter, Blüt’ und Blume,
Come quickly, leaves, blossom and flowers,
Die ihr noch träumt,
You who still dream,
All zu des Frühlings Heiligtume!
Into spring’s sanctuary!
Kommt ungesäumt!
Come without delay!
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.…