Aug 24 2008

Botschaft

Published by woolfian at 4:27 am under love

Schumman’s Spanisches Liederspiel cycle perhaps finds its most beautifully crafted expression in Emmanuel Geibel’s translation of ‘Cojo jazmín y clavel’ into Botschaft. Sung by the harmonious and delicate voices of Frederica Von Stade and Judith Blegen, one cannot but wonder how anyone could escape the sensuality of the piece. The Habanera-like melodic background works wonderfully in this soprano-mezzosoprano duet, where both Blegen and Von Stade seem to be able to dose the delivery of each line so that the text is enhanced in a sinuous scenery in which flowers and love are omnipresent.

Tausend Blumen, tauumflossen,
Find ich neu im Tal erwacht;
Alle sind erst heut entsprossen,
Aber hin ist ihre Pracht,
Wenn der nächste Morgen lacht.
Sprich, du duftiger Jasmin,
Sprecht, ihr flammenroten Nelken,
Sprecht: kann so schnell auch Liebe welken?

I wish flowers could speak about the duration of love. Sometimes humans cannot and they should not really have to. They should just let it happen. Will you, my valkyrie?

2 responses so far

2 Responses to “Botschaft”

  1. Fiammaon 30 Aug 2008 at 3:11 am

    Primero busco esa versión. Ya mismo. Luego, comento.
    Von Stade es inmensamente bella y musical. Rara combinación.
    Besos

  2. woolfianon 01 Sep 2008 at 3:20 am

    Dear Miss Fiamma,

    Please do find that version. To be honest, I am actually rediscovering it, having bought the “A Portrait of Frederica Von Stade” CD where I first heard it years ago. I’d really love to have your take on the singers’ rendition of the piece. Von Stade is indeed a superb singer and, I agree completely with you, a beautiful woman. I had a crush on her since the first time I heard her sing, and I’ll always regret not having seen her live on stage.

    If the task of finding the song becomes too difficult, let me know. I can try to compress it and send it to you by email.

    Read you soon, my dear

    W

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