Songs
Volksliedchen
by Robert Schumann From Lieder und Gesänge, ii (1840) Op. 51 1840, 1841, 1846, 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 Katie Bray and Sholto Kynoch, or click here to buy the CD from Stone Records.
Volksliedchen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
In meinem grünen Hut,
Ist mein erster Gedanke,
Was nun mein Liebster tut?
Am Himmel steht kein Stern,
Den ich dem Freund nicht gönnte.
Mein Herz gäb’ ich ihm gern,
Wenn ich’s heraustun könnte.
Folksong
English translation ©
Richard Stokes
Wearing my green hat,
My thoughts first turn
To what my love is doing.
Every star in the sky
I’d give to my friend;
I’d willingly give him my very heart,
If I could tear it out.
Translations by Richard Stokes, author of The Book of Lieder (Faber, 2005)
Volksliedchen
German source:
Friedrich Rückert
Folksong
English source:
Richard Stokes
Wenn ich früh in den Garten geh’
When at dawn I enter the garden,
In meinem grünen Hut,
Wearing my green hat,
Ist mein erster Gedanke,
My thoughts first turn
Was nun mein Liebster tut?
To what my love is doing.
Am Himmel steht kein Stern,
Every star in the sky
Den ich dem Freund nicht gönnte.
I’d give to my friend;
Mein Herz gäb’ ich ihm gern,
I’d willingly give him my very heart,
Wenn ich’s heraustun könnte.
If I could tear it out.
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.…