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Ludwig van Beethoven
1770-1827
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For a composer who isn't famous for his Lieder it's surprising to learn that he wrote over 100!
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This is one song from the cycle, really the first song cycle written, "An die ferne Geliebte" (To the Distant Beloved) and it does the cycle a grave injustice because each poem/song is linked by Beethoven by a subtle transition to the next. This proves, as do many of Beethoven's songs, that he was a committed composer of Lieder when he wanted to be. But within the limits of a short song like this you can appreciate the beauty of the melody and the setting.
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Wolfgan Holzmair, baritone
Imogen Cooper, piano.
Wo die Berge so blau (Where the blue mountains....)
Set by Ludwig van Beethoven to the words of Aloys (Isidor) Jeitteles (1794-1858)
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| Wo die Berge so blau |
Where the mountains so blue |
| Aus dem nebligen Grau |
Out of the foggy gray |
| Schauen herein, |
Look down, |
| Wo die Sonne verglüht, |
Where the sun dies, |
| Wo die Wolke umzieht, |
Where the cloud encircles, |
| Möchte ich sein! |
I wish I were there! |
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| Dort im ruhigen Tal |
There in the restful valley |
| Schweigen Schmerzen und Qual. |
Stilled are suffering and sorrow. |
| Wo im Gestein |
Where in the rock |
| Still die Primel dort sinnt, |
Quietly the primrose meditates, (The primrose meditates so peacefully) |
| Weht so leise der Wind, |
Blows so lightly the wind, (The wind blows so lightly) |
| Möchte ich sein! |
I wish I were there! |
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| Hin zum sinnigen Wald |
There to the thoughtful wood |
| Drängt mich Liebesgewalt, |
The power of love pulls me, |
| Innere Pein. |
Inward sorrow, |
| Ach, mich zög's nicht von hier, |
Ah! it moves me not from here, |
| Könnt ich, Traute, bei dir |
Could I, dear, by you (Could I, dear one, always be with you!) |
| Ewiglich sein! |
Eternally be! |
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