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In der Tiefe wohnt das Licht. Licht, das leuchtet und entzündet, Wer das Licht des Lichtes findet, Braucht des eitlen Wissens nicht. Wer vom Licht sich abgewendet, Der bewillkommt froh die Nacht, Daß sie seltne Gabe spendet, Ihn belohnt mit dunkler Macht. Mische, sinne, wirke, strebe, Mühe dich du Erdensohn, Daß zu fein nicht dein Gewebe, Und der Tat nicht gleich der Lohn.
About the headline (FAQ)
Note: The libretto of Chézy's initial version of her play, with the title Rosamunde, Fürstinn von Cypern, which was staged in 1823 in Vienna with Schubert's music, is lost. This original version of the play comprises 4 acts. The manuscript of a revised version of Rosamunde in 5 acts has lately been discovered and published (Till Gerrit Waidelich, 1996). The Geisterchor (Chor aus der Tiefe) set by Schubert has been omitted from the revised version.
Authorship:
- by Wilhelmina Christiane von Chézy, née Klencke (1783 - 1856), no title [author's text not yet checked 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 Franz Peter Schubert (1797 - 1828), "Geisterchor", alternate title: "Chor aus der Tiefe", op. 26 no. 3, D 797 no. 4 (1823), published 1832, first performed 1823 [ ttbb chorus with horns and trombones ], from the incidental music to Rosamunde, no. 4, Diabelli & Co., VN 3532, Wien (version for chorus and piano) [sung text checked 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- DUT Dutch (Nederlands) [singable] (Lau Kanen) , "Koor van geesten", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English (Malcolm Wren) , copyright © 2020, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- FRE French (Français) (Guy Laffaille) , copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this text: Bertram Kottmann , Peter Rastl [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2008-09-15
Line count: 12
Word count: 63
In de diepte woont het licht. Licht dat licht geeft, zelfs aan blinden; Wie het licht van 't licht kan vinden, Hoeft geen kennis, loos en licht. Wie van 't licht zich afgewend heeft, Die verwelkomt blij de nacht, Die vaak vreemde gaven weggeeft, Hem beloont met donk're macht. Zoek maar, denk maar, werk, blijf streven, Doe je best, jij aardezoon, Om niet al te fijn te weven, En de daad zij niet je loon.
Authorship:
- Singable translation from German (Deutsch) to Dutch (Nederlands) copyright © 2011 by Lau Kanen, (re)printed on this website with kind permission. To reprint and distribute this author's work for concert programs, CD booklets, etc., please ask the copyright-holder(s) directly.
Lau Kanen. Contact: boudewijnkanen (AT) gmail (DOT) com
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Based on:
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Wilhelmina Christiane von Chézy, née Klencke (1783 - 1856), no title
This text was added to the website: 2011-10-04
Line count: 12
Word count: 75