Franz Schubert (1797-1828):
Die Wetterfahne, D. 911, No. 2
(from Die Winterreise)
(composed in 1827; first published in 1828)
Text: Wilhelm Müller
Original Key/Recorded Key: A Minor
Teach-Track begins: m. 1
Accompaniment Track begins: m. 1
Pianist: Steven Spooner
Franz Schubert?s ?Winterreise" is a collection of 24 songs set to poems by Wilhelm Muller. ?Winterreise? was composed in two parts with twelve songs each, mostly in minor keys. The cycle follows no narrative, and remains introverted, dark, and cold throughout. The main themes are of anguish, desperation, and journeying, coupled with images of ice, snow, death, and tears. As one could guess from the somber text and accompanying music, Schubert wrote the cycle when he was dying of syphilis and the last thing he did on this earth was correct the proofs for part 2. Musically, the work is among Schubert?s finest and through it he elevates the pianist to the level of the singer as the piano supplies rhythmic variation and intense imagery such as birds crowing, winter elements, and the posthorn calling.
Der Wind spielt mit der Wetterfahne
The wind plays with the weathervane
Auf meines schönen Liebchens Haus.
Upon my beautiful sweetheart?s house.
Da dacht ich schon in meinem Wahne,
Then thought I already in my delusion,
Sie pfiff den armen Flüchtling aus.
It whistled the poor refugee out.
Er hätt' es eher bemerken sollen,
He should have noticed it sooner,
Des Hauses aufgestecktes Schild,
The house?s attached sign,
So hätt' er nimmer suchen wollen
So had he never to search wanted
Im Haus ein treues Frauenbild.
In the house a faithful woman.
Der Wind spielt drinnen mit den Herzen
The wind plays inside with the hearts
Wie auf dem Dach, nur nicht so laut.
As on the roof, only not so loudly.
Was fragen sie nach meinen Schmerzen?
Why ask they about my suffering?
Ihr Kind ist eine reiche Braut.
Their child is a rich bride.