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.
Es brennt mir unter beiden Sohlen,
It burns me under both soles,
Tret' ich auch schon auf Eis und Schnee,
Step I have already on ice and snow,
Ich möcht' nicht wieder Atem holen,
I do not want to another breath take,
Bis ich nicht mehr die Türme seh'.
Until I no longer the towers see.
Hab' mich an jeden Stein gestoßen,
Have myself on every stone struck,
So eilt' ich zu der Stadt hinaus;
So hurried I from the city out;
Die Krähen warfen Bäll' und Schloßen
The crows threw snowballs and hailstones
Auf meinen Hut von jedem Haus.
On my hat from every house.
Wie anders hast du mich empfangen,
How differently had you me received,
Du Stadt der Unbeständigkeit!
You town of inconsistency!
An deinen blanken Fenstern sangen
At your bright windows sang
Die Lerch' und Nachtigall im Streit.
The lark and nightingale in competition.
Die runden Lindenbäume blühten,
The round linden-trees were blooming,
Die klaren Rinnen rauschten hell,
The clear gutters rushed brightly,
Und ach, zwei Mädchenaugen glühten. ?
And ah, two maiden?s eyes glowed ?
Da war's gescheh'n um dich, Gesell!
Then was it done for you, my lad!
Kommt mir der Tag in die Gedanken,
Would come to me that day into my thoughts,
Möcht' ich noch einmal rückwärts seh'n,
Want I again to backward look,
Möcht' ich zurücke wieder wanken,
Wish I back again to stumble,
Vor ihrem Hause stille steh'n.
Before her house silently to stand.