Here is some extra info about our Summer 2014 concert, “The Passing of the Year”, which we didn’t have space to fit into the programme.
Text and translations of the Schubert poetry settings featured in the concert:
Des Tages Weihe (“Quartett”/ “Schicksalslenker”)
Consecration of the Day
Ruler of destiny, look down
Upon a thankful heart;
Joy enlivens us again,
And all pain has fled away.
Sorrow is forgotten,
Through the mist shines
The infinite brilliance of your greatness,
As if from the bright garland of stars.
Tenderly you took the bitter cup
Of sorrow from your fathers lips,
And thus far and wide
Your supreme kindness became known.
Some interesting background on the context of this song can be found here.
Der Tanz
Es redet und träumet die Jugend so viel,
Von Tanzen, Galoppen, Gelagen,
Auf einmal erreicht sie ein trügliches Ziel,
Da hört man sie seufzen und klagen.
Bald schmerzet der Hals, und bald schmerzet die Brust,
Verschwunden ist alle die himmlische Lust,
“Nur diesmal noch kehr’ mir Gesundheit zurück!”
So flehet vom Himmel der hoffende Blick!
Youth talks and dreams so much
Of dances, of revels and banquets;
Then all at once it achieves its illusive goal,
And we hear it sighing and complaining.
Now the pain is in the throat, now in the heart;
Vanished are all the heavenly pleasures.
“Give me back my health, just this once!”
Is its plea as it gazes longingly up to heaven.
Lebenslust
He who feels zest for life
is never alone;
To be alone is tedious—
Who can enjoy that?
To live together
In an intimate circle,
With a fond embrace—
That is a joy to the soul!