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.
Ein Licht tanzt freundlich vor mir her,
A light dances friendly before me there,
Ich folg' ihm nach die Kreuz und Quer;
I followed in accordance with the cross and diagonal;
Ich folg' ihm gern und seh's ihm an,
I follow it gladly and see in it,
Daß es verlockt den Wandersmann.
That it misleads the wandering man.
Ach! wer wie ich so elend ist,
Ah! Who is so wretched as I,
Gibt gern sich hin der bunten List,
He gives gladly himself up to the colorful deceit,
Die hinter Eis und Nacht und Graus
That beyond ice and night and horror
Ihm weist ein helles, warmes Haus.
To him shows a bright, warm house.
Und eine liebe Seele drin. ?
And a loving soul within ?
Nur Täuschung ist für mich Gewinn!
Only delusion is for me a gain!