Unsung Lieder

[MusFerd]

I have the overall impression that this forum is clearly concentrated on instrumental music. Any fellow Lieder addicts here?

[Alan Howe]

I think it's fair to say that Lieder is a 'minority sport' amongst us - although I'm always open to recordings of Lieder, especially if they are by little-recorded composers.

[Balapoel]

Not quite in the lieder category (but close) is an unsung work by a sung composer, Ravel, that I would encourage everyone to check out. It is one of the most beautiful pieces (and saddest) I've ever heard.

It's beauty could be described as 'ethereal', and the emotive impact is increased when you know the words:

Trois beaux oiseaux du Paradis (1914-1915) - the timing should give you a hint as to the source...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWgG41hlM7c
(begins at 1:37)

English (translation)
Three lovely birds from Paradise
(My belov'd is to the fighting gone)
Three lovely birds from Paradise
Have flown along this way.

The first was bluer than Heaven's blue
(My belov'd is to the fighting gone)
The second white as the fallen snow
The third was wrapt in bright red glow.

"Ye lovely birds from Paradise
(My belov'd is to the fighting gone)
Ye lovely birds from Paradise
What bring ye then this way?"

"I bring to thee a glance of azure
(Thy belov'd is to the fighting gone)"
"And I on fairest snow white brow
A fond kiss must leave, yet purer still."

"Thou bright red bird from Paradise
(My belov'd is to the fighting gone)
Thou bright red bird from Paradise
What bringest thou to me?"

"A faithful heart all crimson red,
(Thy belov'd is to the fighting gone)"
"Ah! I feel my heart glowing cold...
Take it also with thee."


Original French
Trois beaux oiseaux du Paradis,
(Mon ami z'il est à la guerre)
Trois beaux oiseaux du Paradis
Ont passé par ici.

Le premier était plus bleu que ciel,
(Mon ami z'il est à la guerre)
Le second était couleur de neige,
Le troisième rouge vermeil.

"Beaux oiselets du Paradis,
(Mon ami z'il est à la guerre)
Beaux oiselets du Paradis,
Qu'apportez par ici?"

"J'apporte un regard couleur d'azur.
(Ton ami z'il est à la guerre)"
"Et moi, sur beau front couleur de neige,
Un baiser dois mettre, encore plus pur"

"Oiseau vermeil du Paradis,
(Mon ami z'il est à la guerre)
Oiseau vermeil du Paradis,
Que portez-vous ainsi?"

"Un joli cœur tout cramoisi ...
(Ton ami z'il est à la guerre)"
"Ah! je sens mon cœur qui froidit ...
Emportez-le aussi".

[eschiss1]

I very much like the lieder by Stenhammar that I've heard. (He's not _quite_ sung yet, truly.) He seems at home in the genre, and some of the best of his instrumental music - I think of at least two of his string quartets in this connection (one is probably my favorite piece of music) - well, one of them contains a set of variations on a folktune (to the friend who I badgered into hunting the original of that folktune up, with its lyrics, thanks x n...), and - they seem generally "songful"

[chill319]

I unreservedly recommend the CPO disk of Draeseke Lieder, one or two of which are downright operatic. Wish I'd known about these back when I was accompanying!