Auf ein altes Bild

Auf ein altes Bild

"On an Old Painting" was set by Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), listed as Mörike-Lieder, no. 23.Obviously the text is by Eduard Mörike (1804-1875). Wolf has given this song an otherworldly, timeless ambience with small quiet phrases which lead up to the stab of pain at the end. The original painting which inspired Mörike may have been Dürer's "Madonna and Child." Lehmann recorded this in 1939 with Paul Ulanowsky. The performance is direct and heartfelt without any extra "dramatics."

In grüner Landschaft Sommerflor, In the green landscape of a blossoming summer,
Bei kühlem Wasser, Schilf, und Rohr, Beside cool water, reeds, and rushes,
Schau, wie das Knäblein Sündelos Behold, how the sinless child
Frei spielet auf der Jungfrau Schoss! Plays freely on the virgin's lap.
Und dort im Walde wonnesam, And there, in the woods, blissfully,
Ach, grünet schon des Kreuzes Stamm! Alas, growing already is the stem that will become the cross.

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