Schubert - Einsamkeit Emma Morwood (Soprano) and Jonathan Fisher (Piano)

Schubert's Einsamkeit D.620 Emma Morwood - Soprano Jonathan Fisher - Piano Recital at St Michael and All Saints' Church, Edinburgh, October 2014. F Schubert - Einsamkeit D.620 "Gib mir die Fülle der Einsamkeit." - "Give me my fill of solitude." In the valley, snowed over with blossoms, there towers a cathedral, and nearby in a high fashion, the abbey: Like its founder, pious and still, For the weary, a haven and asylum; Here, cooled by sacred refreshment, contemplation never ends. But the fresh young man is tormented, even in his consecrated cell, of images which are fiery and rejuvenating; And a wild storm springs forth from his breast; he seeks to suppress it but in the blink of an eye his peace and fragile happiness are swept away by the torrent. "Gib mir die Fülle der Tätigkeit." - "Give me my fill of action." People swarm far and wide, coaches cross each other and kick up dust, customers bustle about the shops, red gold and pleasing stones tempt the hesitant people inside, and as a substitute for the green countryside there will be masked balls and theatricals. But in the resplendent palaces, amongst the joy of noisy celebrations, sprouts up the flower of melancholy, and lowers its head toward the sanctuary of his innocent youth - to the blue land of shepherds and the bright stream’s edge. Alas, that he ever departed! "Gib mir das Glück der Geselligkeit!" - "Give me the pleasure of company!" Friendly companions, seated in a row at the table, sing in a chorus and help smooth the rocky road of life! So it goes up to the crown of the beautiful hill and down to the dancing river, our affection grows more and more with true, strong branching out. But when his friends have parted his peace is also gone. He is preoccupied by the pain of longing, and he gazes heavenwards: The star of Love is shining. Love, love calls in the balmy air; Love, love breathes flower's fragrances, and his inner being echoes love. "Gib mir die Fülle der Seligkeit." - "Give me my fill of bliss." Now he walks, intoxicated by her hand in his, a silent conversation; Now he walks, hand-in-hand with her, among the beeches, beside the foamy brook, and if he must walk through wastelands, the shine of her sweet eyes will light his path; and in the most hostile confusion he will trust his gentle guide. But the tombs of his great ancestors, the crowns of conquerors, the battle flags, allow him no further peace: and he must do exactly as they do, and be immortal like them. Look, he is climbing on to his tall horse, Brandishing and testing his shining sword; and rides off into battle. "Gib mir die Fülle der Düsterkeit." - "Give me my fill of gloom." There they lie, strewn out in the blood, Their rigid lips, their wild and broken eyes, they who first spoke in spite of their fear. No father returns to his family, and there returns home a very different army. Those whom war has robbed of their dear ones, greet them now with sad welcome! So now the guardians of his fatherland seem like grim fratricides, who nurture the noble goodness of freedom with the red blood of mankind. And he curses frantic fame and exchanges the noisy, milling crowd for the forest, green and cool - for a life in the wood. "Gib mir die Weihe der Einsamkeit." - "Give me the consecration of solitude." Through the dense darkness of firs the sun's gaze penetrates half and half, and paints the layers of needles pale yellow. The cuckoo calls from the branches; The woodpecker pecks on the grey bark, and thundering over the rocky cliffs the streaming brook indulges its bold torrent. Whatever he desired, whatever he loved, whatever delighted him, whatever troubled him, sweeps past with gentle rapture, as if amid a sunset’s glow. The youth's longing for solitude becomes a part of the old man, and a life rough and precarious has none the less led to happiness. Videography - Matthew MacDonald