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.
Manche Trän' aus meinen Augen
Many a tear from my eyes
Ist gefallen in den Schnee;
Has fallen into the snow;
Seine kalten Flocken saugen
Its cold flakes suck
Durstig ein das heiße Weh.
Thirstily in my hot grief.
Wenn die Gräser sprossen wollen
When the grass to sprout want
Weht daher ein lauer Wind,
Blows hither a mild wind,
Und das Eis zerspringt in Schollen
And the ice breaks into pieces
Und der weiche Schnee zerrinnt.
And the soft snow will melt.
Schnee, du weißt von meinem Sehnen,
Snow, you know of my longing,
Sag', wohin geht dein Lauf?
Say, wither then goes your course?
Folge nach nur meinen Tränen,
Follow after only my tears,
Nimmt dich bald das Bächlein auf.
Will take you soon the brook up.
Wirst mit ihm die Stadt durchziehen,
Will with it the town pass through,
Munt're Straßen ein und aus;
Lively streets in and out;
Fühlst du meine Tränen glühen,
Feel you my tears burning,
Da ist meiner Liebsten Haus.
There is my sweetheart?s house.