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.
Ich träumte von bunten Blumen,
I dreamt of colorful flowers,
So wie sie wohl blühen im Mai;
So as they indeed bloom in May;
Ich träumte von grünen Wiesen,
I dreamt of green meadows,
Von lustigem Vogelgeschrei.
Of cheerful bird calls.
Und als die Hähne krähten,
And as the roosters crowed,
Da ward mein Auge wach;
Then were my eyes awake;
Da war es kalt und finster,
There was it cold and dark,
Es schrieen die Raben vom Dach.
There screamed the ravens from the roof.
Doch an den Fensterscheiben,
But on the window panes,
Wer malte die Blätter da?
Who painted the leaves there?
Ihr lacht wohl über den Träumer,
You laugh probably at the dreamer,
Der Blumen im Winter sah?
Who flowers in winter saw?
Ich träumte von Lieb' um Liebe,
I dreamt of love and love,
Von einer schönen Maid,
Of a beautiful girl,
Von Herzen und von Küssen,
Of embracing and of kissing,
Von Wonn' und Seligkeit.
Of delight and blissfulness.
Und als die Hähne kräten,
And as the roosters crowed,
Da ward mein Herze wach;
Then was my heart awake;
Nun sitz ich hier alleine
Now sit I here alone
Und denke dem Traume nach.
And think the dream about.
Die Augen schließ' ich wieder,
The eyes close I again,
Noch schlägt das Herz so warm.
Still beats the heart so warmly.
Wann grünt ihr Blätter am Fenster?
When did you leaves turn green on the window?
Wann halt' ich mein Liebchen im Arm?
When will I hold you beloved on my arm?