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 bellen die Hunde, es rascheln die Ketten;
There bark the dogs, there rattle the chains;
Es schlafen die Menschen in ihren Betten,
There sleep the people in their beds,
Träumen sich manches, was sie nicht haben,
Dream themselves of much, that they not have,
Tun sich im Guten und Argen erlaben;
Do for themselves in good and bad refreshing;
Und morgen früh ist alles zerflossen.
And tomorrow early has all melted away.
Je nun, sie haben ihr Teil genossen
But still, they have their portion enjoyed
Und hoffen, was sie noch übrig ließen,
And hope, that for them still over is left,
Doch wieder zu finden auf ihren Kissen.
But again to be found on their pillows.
Bellt mich nur fort, ihr wachen Hunde,
Bark me then forth, you watchful dogs,
Laßt mich nicht ruh'n in der Schlummerstunde!
Let me not rest in the slumber hour!
Ich bin zu Ende mit allen Träumen.
I am at end with all dreaming.
Was will ich unter den Schläfern säumen?
Why shall I among the sleepers linger?