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Wenn zu der Regenwand Phöbus sich gattet, Gleich steht ein Bogenrand Farbig beschattet. Im Nebel gleichen Kreis Seh ich gezogen; Zwar ist der Bogen weiß, Doch Himmelsbogen. So sollst du, muntrer Greis, Dich nicht betrüben: Sind gleich die Haare weiß, Doch wirst du lieben.
Authorship:
- by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Phänomen", written 1816, appears in West-östlicher Divan, in 1. Buch des Sängers -- Moganni Nameh, first published 1814 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897), "Phänomen", op. 61 (Vier Duette) no. 3 (1874) [ vocal duet ] [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Wolfgang Michael Rihm (b. 1952), "Phänomen", 2004-7, first performed 2007 [ baritone and piano ], from Goethe-Lieder, no. 5 [sung text not yet checked]
- by Hugo Wolf (1860 - 1903), "Phänomen", 1888-9, published 1891 [ voice and piano ], from Goethe-Lieder, no. 32, Mainz, Schott [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- CAT Catalan (Català) (Salvador Pila) , "Fenomen", copyright © 2021, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Fenomeen", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Siân Goldthorpe) (Christian Stein) , "Phenomenon", copyright ©, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , "Phénomène", copyright © 2009, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Giulio Cesare Barozzi) , "Fenomeno", copyright © 2012, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Siân Goldthorpe
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 44
When Phoebus is joined With the wall of rain, Instantly a bow appears Colourfully shaded. In the clouds I see An identical circle drawn, Though the bow is white: Yes, heaven's bow. Do not worry, Cheerful old man; Though your hair is white, You will still love.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Siân Goldthorpe and Christian Stein, (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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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), "Phänomen", written 1816, appears in West-östlicher Divan, in 1. Buch des Sängers -- Moganni Nameh, first published 1814
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 12
Word count: 47