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 Reif hatt' einen weißen Schein
The frost had a white sheen
Mir übers Haar gestreuet;
On me over the hair spread;
Da glaupt ich schon ein Greis zu sein
Then believed I already a grey-haired man to be
Und hab' mich sehr gefreuet.
And have myself much rejoiced.
Doch bald ist er hinweggetaut,
But soon had it thawed away,
Hab' wieder schwarze Haare,
I have again black hair,
Daß mir's vor meiner Jugend graut ?
That in me at my youth shudder ?
Wie weit noch bis zur Bahre!
How far still to the bier! (grave)
Vom Abendrot zum Morgenlicht
From sunset to morning light
Ward mancher Kopf zum Greise.
Became many heads to gray.
Wer glaubt's? und meiner ward es nicht
Who would believe it? And mine became it not
Auf dieser ganzen Reise!
On this entire journey!