Classical Music | Baritone

Franz Schubert

Am Flusse  Play

Thomas Meglioranza Baritone
Reiko Uchida Piano

Recorded on 10/12/2004, uploaded on 01/09/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Schubert's remarkable output of songs was the turning point of the German Lied tradition. With its roots in the songs of Mozart and Beethoven, the Lied came to maturity with Schubert's careful crafting and delicate balance between words and music. Instead of simply providing an accompaniment to the voice, the piano took on its own unique role in portraying the essence of the words, sometimes reaching a greater clarity than words themselves could achieve.

In Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's poem Am Flusse ("By the River"), the poet stands by the river watching the water go by. He talks of sending the beautiful songs he once sung to his beloved into the "sea of oblivion" to be carried away by the waves. Schubert's settings, despite the sorrowful tone of the poem, is set in D major suggesting the poet has come to terms with his loss and gives a peaceful, resigned farewell. The piano accompaniment consists entirely of rocking broken chords depicting the waves of the river.      Joseph DuBose

Am Flusse, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Verfliesset, vielgeliebte Lieder,

Zum Meere der Vergessenheit!

Kein Knabe sing' entzückt euch wieder,

Kein Mädchen in der Blütenzeit.

Ihr sanget nur von meiner Lieben;

Nun spricht sie meiner Treue Hohn.

Ihr wart ins Wasser eingeschrieben;

So fliesst denn auch mit ihm davon.

--Johnann Wolfgang von Goethe

By the river

Flow away, beloved songs,

Into the sea of oblivion.

No enraptured youth, no maiden in the springtime of life

Will ever sing you again.

You told only of my beloved,

Now she pours scorn on my constancy.

You were written on the water;

Then with the water flow away.