English translations of Zwei Lieder für Alt mit Pianoforte, opus 20

by Bertha von Brukenthal (1846 - 1908)

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1. Der schwere Abend  [sung text not yet checked]
by Bertha von Brukenthal (1846 - 1908), "Der schwere Abend", op. 20 (Zwei Lieder für Alt mit Pianoforte) no. 1, published 1877 [ alto and piano ], Leipzig, Schuberth & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Die [dunklen]1 Wolken hingen
Herab so bang und schwer,
Wir beide traurig gingen
Im Garten hin und her.

So [heiß und]2 stumm, so trübe
[Und]3 sternlos war die Nacht,
So ganz, wie unsre Liebe,
Zu Tränen nur gemacht.

Und als ich mußte scheiden
Und gute Nacht [dir]4 bot,
Wünscht' ich bekümmert beiden
Im Herzen uns den Tod.

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Confirmed with Gedichte von Nicolaus Lenau, Stuttgart, Karl Göpel's Verlag, Cotta'scher Druck, 1869, page 182.

1 Bolko von Hochberg, Rübner: "dunkeln"; Horn: "trüben"; Schleuning: "schweren"; further changes may exist not shown above.
2 Bolko von Hochberg: "heiß, so"
3 Bolko von Hochberg, Thuille: "So"
4 Thuille: "ihr"

by Nikolaus Lenau (1802 - 1850)
1. The oppressive evening
Language: English 
The dark clouds were hanging down
So forebodingly and heavily.
We two walked sadly to and fro
In the garden.

So hot and silent, so dreary
And starless was the night --
Just like our love,
Created only for tears.

And when I had to depart
And wished you good night,
In my sorrowing heart
I sadly wished death for us both.

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2008 by Sharon Krebs, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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This text was added to the website: 2008-01-09
Line count: 12
Word count: 61

Translation © by Sharon Krebs
2. Der träumende See  [sung text not yet checked]
by Bertha von Brukenthal (1846 - 1908), "Der träumende See", op. 20 (Zwei Lieder für Alt mit Pianoforte) no. 2, published 1877 [ alto and piano ], Leipzig, Schuberth & Co.
Language: German (Deutsch) 
Der See [ruht]1 tief im [blauen]2 Traum
Von Wasserblumen zugedeckt;
Ihr Vöglein hoch im [Fichtenbaum]3,
Daß ihr [mir]4 nicht den Schläfer weckt!

Doch leise weht das Schilf und wiegt 
Das Haupt mit leichtem Sinn;
Ein blauer Falter aber fliegt
Darüber einsam hin!

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Confirmed with Sämmtliche Werke von Julius Mosen, Sechster Band, Leipzig, Verlag von Wilhelm Friedrich, 1880, page 164.

1 H. Bach (as Molbe): "liegt"; further changes may exist not noted.
2 Wallnöfer: "blauem"
3 Fibich: "Eichenbaum"
4 Wallnöfer: "nun"

by Julius Mosen (1803 - 1867)
2.
Language: English 
The lake [is at rest]1 deep in a blue dream
covered by water lilies;
You, little bird high in the [spruce tree]2,
Don't wake the sleeper!

But the reeds quietly blow and balance 
Their tops with easy sense;
But a blue moth flies
Over [them], alone, towards [them].

Text Authorship:

  • Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © 2016 by Laura Prichard, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., you may ask the copyright-holder(s) directly or ask us; we are authorized to grant permission on their behalf. Please provide the translator's name when contacting us.
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Translation of title "Der träumende See" = "The dreaming lake"
1 H. Bach (as Molbe): “lies still"
2 Fibich: "oak tree"


This text was added to the website: 2016-02-08
Line count: 8
Word count: 51

Translation © by Laura Prichard